Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis associated with psoriasis is presented (although a small percentage may have the disease without noticeable psoriasis on the skin). 20% of patients with psoriasis will develop arthritis, which may be mild or severe. In mild forms the diagnosis becomes difficult because it can sometimes be confused with rheumatoid arthritis.
Psoriatic arthritis can start slowly and with moderate symptoms are controlled well with anti-inflammatory unnoticed diagnosis. Sometimes follows a progressive course that can lead to functional disability.
This disease occurs between 30 and 50 and affects both men and women. It is not known why an association between arthritis and psoriasis. However, we know the importance played by cytokines, particularly tumor necrosis factor.
The symptoms presented by Psoriatic arthritis are the following:
- Stiffness: This appears in the morning in the affected joints, as in other arthritis severity of rigidity is related to the degree of inflammation. When the column is involved the patient notice stiffness in the region of high or low back.
- Pain: It worsens with rest, occurring mostly at night or on waking.
- Joint swelling: In joint inflammation that is seen is characteristically asymmetrical. This swelling reduces joint mobility. The joints most commonly affected are wrists, knees, hips, cervical and lumbar spine.
- Nail changes: At the level of a dot nails and other injuries in 80% of patients with psoriatic arthritis. This is sometimes confused with fungal infections (fungi).
- A very characteristic of psoriatic arthritis is dactylitis or "sausage finger", which is a thickening around the finger with evident pain and inflammation.