Psoriatic ArthritisSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Psoriatic Arthritis
View Main Condition: Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is a joint problem (arthritis) that often occurs with a skin condition called psoriasis.
Arthritis - psoriatic; Psoriasis - psoriatic arthritis; Spondyloarthritis - psoriatic arthritis; PsA
Psoriasis is a common skin problem that causes red patches on the skin. It is an ongoing (chronic) inflammatory condition. Psoriatic arthritis occurs in 7% to 42% of people with psoriasis. Nail psoriasis is linked to psoriatic arthritis.
In most cases, psoriasis comes before the arthritis. In a few people, the arthritis comes before the skin disease. However, having severe, wide-spread psoriasis appears to increase the chance of getting psoriatic arthritis.
The cause of psoriatic arthritis is not known. Genes, immune system, and environmental factors may play a role. It is likely that the skin and joint diseases have similar causes. However, they may not occur together.
The arthritis may be mild and involve only a few joints. The joints at the end of the fingers or toes may be more affected. Psoriatic arthritis can cause arthritis only on one side of the body or both sides of the body.
In some people, the disease may be severe and affect many joints, including the spine. Symptoms in the spine include stiffness and pain. They most often occur in the lower spine and sacrum.
Some people with psoriatic arthritis may have inflammation of the eyes.
Most of the time, people with psoriatic arthritis have the skin and nail changes of psoriasis. Often, the skin gets worse at the same time as the arthritis.
Tendons may become inflamed with psoriatic arthritis. Examples include the Achilles tendon, the plantar fascia, and the tendon sheath in the hand.
Your provider may suggest nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce pain and swelling of the joints.
Arthritis that does not improve with NSAIDs may need to be treated with medicines called disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). These include:
- Methotrexate
- Leflunomide
- Sulfasalazine
Apremilast is another medicine used for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis.
Multiple injectable biologic medicines are effective for progressive psoriatic arthritis that is not controlled with DMARDs. These medicines block proteins involved in the inflammation process. They are often helpful for both the skin disease and the joint disease of psoriatic arthritis.
Additionally, there are two JAK-inhibitors that are approved for psoriatic arthritis: Tofacitinib and Upadacitinib. These medications are given orally.
Very painful joints may be treated with steroid injections. These are used when only one or a few joints are involved. Most experts do not recommend oral corticosteroids for psoriatic arthritis. Their use may worsen psoriasis and interfere with the effect of other medicines.
In rare cases, surgery may be needed to repair or replace damaged joints.
People with inflammation of the eye should see an ophthalmologist.
Your provider may suggest a mix of rest and exercise. Physical therapy may help increase joint movement. You may also use heat and cold therapy.
Reading Hospital
Soumya Chakravarty is an Internal Medicine specialist and a Rheumatologist practicing medicine in West Reading, Pennsylvania. Dr. Chakravarty is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Psoriatic Arthritis. He is also highly rated in 4 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Psoriatic Arthritis, Psoriasis, Arthritis, and Ankylosing Spondylitis. Dr. Chakravarty is board certified in American Board Of Internal Medicine.
Seattle Rheumatology Associates
Dr. Mease graduated from Stanford University receiving his Medical Doctorate. He specializes in internal medicine and rheumatology. Dr. Mease is a practicing physician at Seattle Rheumatology Associates, Swedish Cherry Hill, and Swedish First Hill. Dr. Mease is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Psoriatic Arthritis. He is also highly rated in 10 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Psoriatic Arthritis, Arthritis, Psoriasis, and Axial Spondyloarthritis (AxSpA). Dr. Mease is board certified in American Board Of Internal Medicine. Dr. Mease is currently accepting new patients.
Tower Health Medical Group Internal Medicine - Wyomissing 1st Floor
Tatyana Erlikh is a primary care provider, practicing in Internal Medicine in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania. Dr. Erlikh is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Psoriatic Arthritis. She is also highly rated in 30 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Psoriasis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Familial Hypertension, and Hypertension. Dr. Erlikh is board certified in American Board Of Internal Medicine.
The disease is sometimes mild and affects only a few joints. However, in many people with psoriatic arthritis damage to joints occurs within the first several years. In some people, very bad arthritis may cause deformities in the hands, feet, and spine.
Most people with psoriatic arthritis who do not improve with NSAIDs should see a rheumatologist, a specialist in arthritis, along with a dermatologist for the psoriasis.
Early treatment can ease pain and prevent joint damage, even in very bad cases.
Contact your provider if you develop symptoms of arthritis along with psoriasis.
Summary: This prospective single-center interventional study aims to investigate the effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) on disease activity, pain, quality of life, autonomic dysfunction symptoms, and inflammatory biomarkers in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Participants diagnosed with PsA according to the Classification Criteria for Psoriatic Arthritis (CASPAR) wi...
Summary: This phase Ib trial studies the side effects of nivolumab and to see how well it works alone and in combination with other treatments, such as ipilimumab, cabozantinib, platinum containing therapy, and fluoropyrimidine, in treating patients with autoimmune disorders and cancer that has spread from where it first started (primary site) to nearby tissue, lymph nodes, or distant parts of the body (ad...
Published Date: January 28, 2025
Published By: Diane M. Horowitz, MD, Rheumatology and Internal Medicine, Northwell Health, Great Neck, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Gossec L, Kerschbaumer A, Ferreira RJO, et al. EULAR recommendations for the management of psoriatic arthritis with pharmacological therapies: 2023 update Ann Rheum Dis 2024;83:706-719. PMID: 38499325 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38499325/.
Haberman RH, Scher JU. Psoriatic arthritis. In: Firestein GS, McInnes IB, Koretzky GA, Mikuls TR, Neogi T, O’Dell JR, eds. Firestein & Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 78.
Inman RD, Rahman P. Spondyloarthritis. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 244.
Veale DJ, Orr C. Management of psoriatic arthritis. In: Hochberg MC, Gravallese EM, Smolen JS, van der Hejjde D, Weinblatt ME, Weisman MH, eds. Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 131.