The National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) offers a comprehensive look at psoriatic arthritis (PsA), including related conditions, treatment, and care. While it can start at any age, PsA commonly appears between ages 30 and 50, often about a decade after the onset of psoriasis, but sometimes it can occur first or even without the presence of noticeable psoriasis. Symptoms include fatigue, enthesitis, joint swelling and pain, reduced range of motion, morning stiffness, nail changes, and eye inflammation. Diagnosing PsA is challenging as there is no definitive test; it’s often diagnosed through a process of elimination and comparison with similar conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.

Seeing a rheumatologist is crucial for appropriate and specialized care. The impact of PsA on quality of life is similar to rheumatoid arthritis, yet resources for PsA are fewer, leading to inadequate research, delayed diagnoses, and often insufficient understanding and treatment. There is a need for more rheumatologists with expertise in PsA to improve disease management and patient quality of life.

Reference: About Psoriatic Arthritis. National Psoriasis Foundation. Updated February 16, 2024. Accessed March 29, 2024. https://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriatic-arthritis/