Insights into PsA: Recognizing the Five Distinct Forms of Psoriatic Arthritis
PsA, or psoriatic arthritis, ain't just a simple arthritis case, 'cause it's got you dealin' with skin, joints, and other related issues all at once. If ya got psoriasis, there's a decent chance (about 20-30%) ya might develop PsA, too. It's mostly characterized by joint pain, but you can exhibit a variety of symptoms, depending on the type of PsA ya got. Here are the five main types and some tips on how to cope.
1. Asymmetric PsA
Six out of ten cases of PsA are of this type. Unlike the other types, symptoms tend to affect individual joints rather than paired ones. You might experience pain in your right hand, but your left might be perfectly fine. However, don't get too cocky, as some symptoms could pop up on both sides at the same time. This type is more common in men, researchers say.
Symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Swollen fingers or toes
- Cracking or pitting nails
- Swollen, tender, stiff, or painful joints
- Swollen or painful ligaments or tendons
Treatment:
PsA doesn't have a cure, but there are ways to manage the pain. Talk to your doc about physical therapy, occupational therapy, oral corticosteroids (like prednisone), biologic drugs (such as adalimumab or etanercept), NSAIDs like aspirin or ibuprofen, and intra-articular joint injections (like hyaluronic acid or cortisone).
2. Symmetric PsA
With symmetric PsA, your symptoms tend to show up evenly on both sides of your body. This accounts for around 15-61% of cases and is more common in women. Symptoms might resemble those of asymmetric PsA, but they'll primarily affect the smaller joints of your feet or hands rather than larger joints.
Treatment:
Treatment options are similar to those for asymmetric PsA, but the best regimen for you will depend on factors like your age, weight, mobility, pain level, and overall health. Smokers, watch out; studies have found that smoking might worsen PsA symptoms and reduce the effectiveness of treatments.
3. Distal Interphalangeal (DIP) PsA
One out of ten people with PsA develop this type, which primarily targets the joints near the tips of your fingers or toes. It can sometimes affect multiple joints.
Symptoms:
- Swollen fingers or toes
- Ligament or tendon pain
- Reduced range of motion
- Joint stiffness in your fingers or toes
- Nail problems, such as pitting, crumbling, white spots, discoloration, cracking, or detachment
Treatment:
Your doc might suggest NSAIDs, corticosteroid injections, or TNF inhibitors for severe cases. For short-term relief, consider cold therapy for affected areas, keeping your cuticles and nails moisturized, or soaking your hands or feet in warm water. But chat with your doc before trying any at-home remedies, as they could interfere with prescriptions or worsen symptoms.
4. Spondylitis PsA
Around 7-32% of people with PsA develop this type, which primarily affects the joints between the spinal vertebrae. It can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the neck, back, feet, hips, arms, legs, and hands.
Treatment:
Spondylitis treatments can include NSAIDs, physical therapy, occupational therapy, immunosuppressants, sulfasalazine, biologic medications, and DMARDs.
5. Psoriatic Arthritis Mutilans
A rare but severe form of PsA affecting about 5% of people, PsA mutilans causes severe pain, primarily in the hands, feet, or wrists.
Symptoms:
- Extreme inflammation and joint damage
- Deformities in affected joints
- Bone loss in affected joints
- Loss of movement or reduced range of motion
- Pain that radiates to other areas of the body
Treatment:
PsA mutilans is a progressive condition that worsens over time. Treatment options may include anti-TNF inhibitors, DMARDs, biologic medications, or a combination thereof. A study from 2011 suggested that etanercept (Enbrel) might help restore joint function, but more research is needed to confirm the validity of this claim.
PsA is a complex condition that affects approximately 30% of folks with psoriasis. The condition can manifest differently for everyone, and treatment plans will depend on your specific symptoms and lifestyle factors.
Your doc may suggest medications to help manage inflammation and pain while slowing the progression of the disease. Don't get tripped up by common misconceptions about PsA; it's much more than just a form of arthritis, and not everyone who has it will develop skin symptoms first. Get the right treatment and support to manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life!
- Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a complex medical-condition that affects about 30% of individuals with psoriasis, and it's not just a regular arthritis case due to its association with skin, joints, and other related issues.
- If you have psoriasis, you might develop psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and one of its main types, asymmetric PsA, affects six out of ten cases, where symptoms tend to affect individual joints rather than paired ones.
- Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) can lead to a variety of symptoms depending on the type, and chronic-diseases like neurological-disorders are sometimes associated with this condition.
- Treatment options for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) may include medications, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and at-home remedies, and it's essential to discuss these options with your healthcare provider.
- Psoriatic arthritis mutilans, a rare but severe form of PsA, primarily causes severe pain, deformities, and bone loss in affected joints, and it's crucial to seek medical attention for proper treatment to manage and improve the quality of life.
