Psoriatic Arthritis (PSA)

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Psoriatic Arthritis (PSA)

Psoriatic Arthritis (PSA) is a skin disease that affects approximately 3% of

the population. PSA has been defined as an inflammatory arthritis. PSA

usually occurs between the ages of 30-40. There are generally more males

affected with PSA than females. Some patients say that skin problems occur

at the same time joint inflammation occurs. The arthritis is associated with

pain, swelling, and limitation of movement in affected joints. There may

also be a redness or purplish discoloration over the affected joints. Many

patients with PSA also complain of joint stiffness of more than 30 minutes

in duration in the morning hours. PSA is characterized by the presence of

psoriasis. Nail lesions may also occur in patients who have PSA.

Treatment of PSA can include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

for mild disease and disease modifying drugs for more severe disease. It has

been suggested that the treatment of PSA should include treatment of

psoriasis and arthritis. Although there is much evidence that supports the

use of NSAIDs to control inflammation in PSA, there is no information

available as to the effect of treatment on the course of PSA.

The exact prognosis of PSA is not known. There appears to be a group of

patients who are destined to develop a more serious disease. On the other

hand, there is a group of patients who develop a milder form of PSA and have

a better prognosis.

In order to study the prognosis, one must first define the outcome of PSA.

Damage to the joints must be assessed, and x-ray films must be studied for

erosive changes and joint space narrowing. The progression of the damage

caused by the disease can be studied further by defining damage and

analyzing the time for progression between these states. The study of the

prognosis can only be performed by following a large number of patients over

a long period of time. These types of studies are currently being conducted.