Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that is diagnosed when symptoms of psoriasis are accompanied by inflammation in the joints[i]. Thus, people with PsA have patches of red, silvery, scaly skin as well as pain in the joints, such as in the hand, foot, and the back. The joint pain is often preceded by swelling in the toes and fingers. PsA is a progressive disorder and should be actively monitored and managed in order to reduce inflammation, prevent damage and improve day-to-day function and overall quality of life.
References
[i] Veale DJ, Fearon U. The pathogenesis of psoriatic arthritis. Lancet. 2018 Jun 2;391(10136):2273-2284. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(18)30830-4. Epub 2018 Jun 1. PMID: 29893226.
The section on Living with PsA was written by :
Richie Jeremian, PhD Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, McGill University
Yulia Lytvyn, PhD Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
The section on Living with PsA was reviewed by:
Dr. Vinod Chandran, April 2021
