Psoriatic Arthritis

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Definition/Description[edit | edit source]

Psoritic arthritis is a seronegative spondyloarthopathy that often coincides with psoriasis. However, there is no correlation between the severity of each. Psoriatic arthritis causes inflammation, pain, stiffness, and swelling in joints as well as ligaments and tendons at their insertion site into bone. It can range from mild to severe.

Prevalence[edit | edit source]

  • Occurs in 6%-42% of persons that have psoriasis
  • Approximately 2% of general population has psoriasis 
  • Psoriatic arthritis is estimated to have a prevalence of 0.1%-0.25% in the US
  • Equal prevalence in both males and females [1]
  • Can occur at any age but typically occurs between ages of 30-50 years old 

Characteristics/Clinical Presentation[edit | edit source]

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Associated Co-morbidities

  • Psoriasis
  • Presence of HLA-B27


Medications[edit | edit source]

  • NSAIDS
  • Local Corticosteroid Injections

Aggressive Cases

  • DMARD Therapy with MTX, SSZ, and TNF-Beta Antagonists [1]

Diagnostic Tests/Lab Tests/Lab Values[edit | edit source]

  • There is no definitive test. Diagnosis is made by ruling out other conditions.
  • X-rays are often performed to detect bone erosion. However, signs of psoriatic arthritis often do not appear on X-ray until later stages of the disease.
  • Blood work will be done to detect for the HLA-B27 since it is a common histocompatibility complex marker in people with psoriatic arthritis.
  • A blood test for rheumatoid factor should be done to rule out rheumatoid arthritis

Causes[edit | edit source]

Psoriatic arthritis seems to have a genetic cause although the exact marker genes have not been identified. Having a first-degree realtive with psoriatic arthritis increases the likihood of contracting the disease by 80-90%.[1]

  Medical Management[edit | edit source]

  • Narrowband UVB light therapy can be very effective in clearing skin lesions. Bulbs with a narrow emission between 311 and 313 nm have been shown in studies to be superior to broadband UVB light. Treatment can be done in an outpatient setting or at home. Both small handheld devices are available as well as larger full body light units. UV light lamps designed specifically for psoriasis are more effective than commercial tanning beds or sunlight since they give of narrowband UVB light. Commercial tanning beds often give off much higher levels of UVA radiation that has been proven to be less effective in treating psoriasis. Exact ratios of UVA and UVB are very difficult to determine with both sunlight and tanning beds. Generally light treatments should be done 2-3 times per week for a total of around twenty-five treatments. Skin will be exposed to UVB light from 20 seconds up to around 2 minutes during each treatment based on the Fitzpatrick skin type or minimal erythema dose.  [2]

Physical Therapy Management (current best evidence)[edit | edit source]

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Alternative/Holistic Management (current best evidence)[edit | edit source]

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Differential Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

  • Osteoarthritis
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Reactive Arthritis
  • Gaut
  • Mallet finger due to traumatic injury

Case Reports[edit | edit source]

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Recent Related Research (from Pubmed)[edit | edit source]

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[1][2][3][4]References [5][edit | edit source]

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  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Fuller KS. Pathology: Implications for the Physical Therapist. Third Edition. St.Louis: Saunders Elsevier; 2009.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Menter A, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Section 2. Psoriatic arthritis:overview and guidelines of care for treatment with an emphasis on biologics. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2008;58:851-864.
  3. ↑ Anandarajah AP, Ritchlin CT. The diagnosis and treatment of early psoriatic arthritis. Nat. Rev. Rheumatol. 2009;5:634-641.
  4. ↑ Menter A, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Section 5. Guidelines of care for the treament of psoriasis with phototherapy and photochemotherapy. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2010;62(1):114-135.
  5. ↑ Goodman CC, Snyder TEK. Differential Diagnosis for Physical Therapists: Screening for Referral. 4th Edition. St.Louis: Saunders Elsevier; 2007.


[1]

  1. ↑ Menter A, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Section 5. Guidelines of care for the treament of psoriasis with phototherapy and photochemotherapy. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2010;62(1):114-135.
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