Insights into Psoriatic Arthritis: Understanding its 5 Distinct Forms
Unfiltered ChatBot:
Psorexitus (PsA) is a beast related to psoriasis, but they ain't the same freaking thing. Psoriasis, that chronic skin condition with red, flaky skin ain't a walk in the park, but PsA? Typically shows up as joint pain. You can have both conditions or just one - it don't discriminate.
If you're stuck with Ps*A, it helps to know what brand you're dealing with, so you can get the right treatment. Here's the lowdown on the five main types, their telltale signs, and some treatment tips for each.
What are them five types of Psorexitus?
Psorexitus is a type of arthritis that roughly 20 to 30 percent of psoriasis sufferers end up with. It got these five types:
- Asymmetric Psorexitus
- Symmetric Psorexitus
- Distal Interphalangeal Predominant (DIP) Psorexitus
- Spondylitis Psorexitus
- Psorexitus Mutilans
Guess What: There are some things that can help you guess what type you got goin' on. But your medical wizard will look at every stinkin' symptom under the sun before making a call.
1. Asymmetric Psorexitus
Asymmetric PsA is the most commontype of PsA. It accounts for at least 60 percent of cases. It affects your joints independently, rather than in pairs. That means you could have pain in the joints of your right hand without your left getting squished.
But the pain ain't always all on one side. You might have your left knee and right foot hurting like a mother at the same damn time – even if you're dealing with asymmetric PsA. According to a 2019 study, this type of Ps*A is more common in men.
How to spot it
Common signs of asymmetric Ps*A:
- fatigue
- blurred sight
- swollen fingers or toes
- pitting or cracking nails
- swollen, tender, stupid, or painful joints
- swollen or painful ligaments or tendons
How it's treated
Ps*A don't got a bloody cure. But there are ways to show them what's up. Your medical wizard can help you figure out which one (or combo) of treatments is right for you.
Possible treatments include:
- physical therapy
- occupational therapy
- oral steroids (like prednisone)
- biolological drugs (like adalimumab or etanercept)
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin or ibuprofen
- joint injections (e.g., hyaluronic acid or cortisone)
2. Symmetric Psorexitus
With symmetric PsA, symptoms usually crop up on both sides of your body at the same damn time. This type of PsA can represent 15 to 61 percent of cases. It's more common in women.
How to spot it
Symmetric PsA symptoms are a lot like asymmetric PsA symptoms. But this type typically affects the smaller joints of the feet or hands, instead of large joints like your knees or elbows.
FYI : Symmetrical Ps*A is sometimes mistaken for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A simple blood test can sort out the confusion.
How it's treated
The treatments for symmetric PsA are usually the same as for asymmetric PsA. But the ideal treatment plan might depend on your age, weight, mobility, pain level, overall health, and whether you smoke cigarettes (cuz that can make Ps*A symptoms even worse)2.
3. Distal Interphalangeal Predominant (DIP) Psorexitus
Approximately 10 percent of Ps*A sufferers got the DIP variant. It targets the DIP joints, which are near the tips of your toes and fingers. That means you might notice changes to your nails1.
How to spot it
Common DIP symptoms:
- swollen fingers or toes
- ligament or tendon pain
- reduced range of motion
- joint stiffness in fingers or toes
Nail issues are also common with DIP Ps*A. You may experience:
- pitting
- crumbling
- white dots
- discoloration
- nail cracking
- separation
How it's treated
Your doc might suggest NSAIDs or corticosteroid injections for mild inflammation and discomfort. For more severe cases, you might be given TNF inhibitors, cuz they might slow disease progression1.
For temporary relief, DIY treatments might help:
- Cold therapy - Put an ice pack on the affected area for up to 10 minutes to cool down inflammation.
- Nail care - Avoid trimming your cuticles and applying nail polish to reduce the risk of irritation. Keep your nails moisturized with cuticle oils and creams, too.
- Soak 'em up - Give your hands or feet a good soak. But keep the soak relatively short to avoid drying out your skin. And don't forget to follow up with a high-quality moisturizer.
- Stay dry - Pat your skin dry after every shower, and opt for sweat-wicking socks to soak up moisture1.
Remember, always consult with your doc before trying a home Ps*A remedy. It's important to ensure it won't mess with your prescription treatments or worsen your symptoms.
4. Spondylitis Psorexitus (aka Axial Arthritis)
Roughly 7 to 32 percent of PsA sufferers got spondylitis PsA (also called axial arthritis). It primarily targets the joints between your spinal vertebrae1.
How to spot it
Spondylitis Ps*A can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in your neck and back. But symptoms can also affect other joints like your feet, hips, arms, legs, hands, you name it1.
How it's treated
Treatment options for spondylitis Ps*A include:
- NSAIDs
- physical therapy
- occupational therapy
- immunosuppressants
- sulfasalazine (Azulfidine)
- biolological medications (like TNF inhibitors)
- disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
5. Psorexitus Mutilans
Psorexitus mutilans is a rare but severe form of PsA that affects about 5 percent of PsA suffers. It can cause excruciating pain – usually in the hands, feet, or wrists.
How to spot it
Psorexitus mutilans can lead to severe inflammation and joint damage, potentially causing deformities, bone loss, loss of movement or reduced range of motion, and pain that spreads to other areas1.
How it's treated
Psorexitus mutilans is a progressive condition that can worsen over time. So it's essential to manage symptoms as early as possible1.
Treatment options for Ps*A mutilans include anti-TNF inhibitor, DMARDs, and biolological medications. One 2011 study also found that a drug called etanercept (Enbrel) may help restore joint function, but we need more research to confirm that1.
The lowdown:
Psorexitus (Ps*A) is a type of arthritis that affects up to 30 percent of people with psoriasis. It's not a one-size-fits-all condition and can affect everyone differently, so treatment plans should be tailored to your unique symptoms and lifestyle factors.
Your doctor may suggest medications to reduce inflammation and pain, while slowing disease progression. They might also recommend physical therapy, occupational therapy, or other treatments to manage your condition effectively. Always consult with your doctor for a proper diagnosis and personalized treatment plan.
- Psoriasis, a chronic skin condition, can sometimes lead to Psorexitus (Ps*A), a type of arthritis that affects approximately 20 to 30 percent of psoriasis sufferers.
- One of the five main types of Psorexitus is Asymmetric Ps*A, affecting at least 60 percent of cases, and causing joint pain that presents independent of joint pairs, often causing discomfort in the joints of one hand without the same in the other.
- Asymmetric Ps*A can also lead to symptoms such as fatigue, blurred sight, swollen fingers or toes, pitting or cracking nails, swollen, tender, and painful joints, and swollen or painful ligaments or tendons.
- While Ps*A doesn't have a cure, treatments like physical therapy, oral steroids, biologic drugs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), joint injections, and even lifestyle changes can help manage the symptoms.
- A common misconception regarding Symmetric PsA, another type of PsA that affects both sides of the body simultaneously, is that it is mistaken for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but a simple blood test can resolve any confusion.
