Psoriatic arthritis is a kind of inflammatory arthritis. It mostly affects people who are suffering from chronic health condition psoriasis. It commonly occurs in patients with tissue type HLA-B27. Psoriasis arthritis causes are numerous that leads to the condition.
The common symptoms of this problem that a patient can suffer are:
• Pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints
• Lower back pain, mainly in sacrum
• Tendinitis, especially around the feet area
• Sausage like swelling in the fingers
• Pain in feet and around ankles
• Changes in the nails such as pitting or separation from the nail bed.
Psoriatic arthritis can be mild or may progress to destructive condition. Prolonged inflammation of the disease can lead to joint damage. Early diagnosis of the problem can prevent from the further damage.
Psoriatic arthritis causes are not yet known completely but if a person feels any symptom of this condition then he must visit his doctor. It is thought that a number of genetic factors work behind the problem.
No definite test is available to diagnose the problem. The symptoms of psoriatic arthritis may resemble to other ailments like rheumatoid arthritis. Physical examination, health history, blood test and x-rays etc. are performed to diagnose the problem. It can arise in patients:
• Suffering with psoriasis or a family history of psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis
• Those have negative rheumatoid blood factor, it is highly associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
• Arthritis symptoms in the joints closest to tips of the fingers, these symptoms are not typical of rheumatoid arthritis
• Pitting of finger and toe nails
• If radiologic images indicate joint change
The psoriatic arthritis condition can be classified into five main types, these are:
• Asymmetric: This condition may be mild and affects 70% patients. It involves fewer than 3 joints.
• Symmetric: This condition is found in 25 % patients. It affects both the joints simultaneously. This condition is similar to rheumatoid arthritis.
• Arthritis mutilans: It targets less than 5% of patients. It is a severe and destructive form of arthritis. This condition may progress from months to years. It causes severe joint damage.
• Spondylitis: It is caused by stiffness in the spine or neck. It can also affect hands and feet.
• Distal interphalangeal predominant: it affects 5% of patients. It causes inflammation and stiffness of joints.
Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory condition so the treatment is also given to control the inflammation. It’s not fully possible to treat the condition as the psoriatic arthritis causes are not completely known. The milder cases are treated with NSAIDS. Some drugs like ibuprofen, naproxen etc. are given to treat the patient. The prolonged use of these drugs causes other problems like gastrointestinal bleeding and other adverse effects. Regular exercise, healthy and nutritious diet can prevent from the problem.
For more information related to this Please visit : psoriatic arthritis causes and medical animation