Psoriatic Arthritis

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Orthopedic

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Dr. Janet Pope

MD MPH FRCPC

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London, ON

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Hamilton, ON

Dr. Raman Joshi

Rheumatologist

Brampton, ON

Dr. Vandana Ahluwalia

Rheumatologist

Brampton, ON

Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a type of inflammatory arthritis that affects both the joints and the skin. Like with other types of arthritis, patients with psoriatic arthritis experience pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints. It can also affect other parts of the body such as the feet, hips, knees, ribs and tendons. Along with joint problems, people develop itchy, scaly patches of inflamed skin called psoriasis.
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What is Psoriatic Arthritis? <p>Rheumatologist, discusses psoriatic arthritis.</p>

Rheumatologist, discusses psoriatic arthritis.
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True/False - Quiz: Do You Understand Psoriatic Arthritis?

Quiz: Do You Understand Psoriatic Arthritis?

Test your knowledge by answering the following questions:

Questions

True

False

0

Symptoms of psoriatic arthritis include warmth, swelling and pain in the joints. The skin is also affected with psoriasis, becoming red, scaly and inflamed. Psoriasis patches or plaques often appear on the scalp, elbows, lower back and knees, although it can appear on the scalp, fingernails or toenails.

Explanation:

Psoriasis can affect the fingernails and toenails.

1

With proper psoriatic arthritis treatment the joint damage can be reversed.

Explanation:

Once someone experiences joint damage from PsA, it can’t be reversed. Psoriatic arthritis can even destroy the joints if the disease isn’t properly treated or controlled.

2

Drugs made from living organisms or components of living organisms are a treatment for psoriatic arthritis.

Explanation:

Treatments for PsA are designed to prevent joint damage and control inflammation, and include disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologics (drugs made from living organisms or components of living organisms).

3

Heart disease is not linked to psoriatic arthritis.

Explanation:

You also need to control blood pressure and cholesterol to prevent heart disease. People with psoriatic arthritis have an increased frequency of myocardial infarction, heart attacks, strokes, and often have high cholesterol, hypertension and other conditions that go along with the metabolic syndrome.

4

Losing weight can help the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis.

Explanation:

If you're overweight, it's important to manage your diet, weight, and exercise to limit reduce extra weight on your joints, which can decrease the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis.

How you treat Psoriatic Arthritis?

The earlier psoriatic arthritis is treated the better the outcome—even a few months can make a difference. Early treatment reduces the risk of long-term inflammation in the body such as stroke or heart attack.Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)These medications reduce joint inflammation and reduce pain, but do not prevent the progression of psoriatic arthritis. With 20 different anti-inflammatory medications available, you can always try a different NSAID if one doesn’t work for you.Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)