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Did you know why symptoms of psoriatic arthritis may appear before skin symptoms?
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a type of chronic inflammatory arthritis that occurs primarily in individuals affected by psoriasis. According to research, the skin symptoms of psoriasis often appear before signs of arthritis, which not only confuses patients but also triggers experts to continue studying its pathological mechanisms.
Basic Introduction to Psoriatic Arthritis
The main features of psoriatic arthritis include: swelling of the fingers or toes (also known as sausage fingers), skin lesions, and nail changes. Psoriasis usually presents as red, scaly, itchy patches, but about 15% of patients report that joint symptoms develop before skin manifestations.
The pathogenesis of psoriatic arthritis is still under investigation, and genetic factors appear to play a key role in the development of the disease.
Symptom Analysis
Common symptoms of psoriatic arthritis patients include pain and swelling in peripheral joints, lesions on the nails, and varying degrees of fatigue. For many patients, pain may be accompanied by redness and swelling in the joints, and in some cases, especially in the early stages, these joint pain symptoms may be the only warning signs.
Studies indicate that approximately 70% of patients with psoriatic arthritis experience peripheral joint effects.
Causes and risk factors
The cause of this disease is very complex. In addition to genetic factors, obesity and certain types of psoriasis are also considered to be risk factors. Most studies have shown that obesity worsens the course of the disease, and clinically, patients with severe psoriasis are particularly prone to developing psoriatic arthritis.
Diagnosis and differential diagnosis
Diagnosing psoriatic arthritis is difficult because there is currently no definitive laboratory test to specifically confirm the condition. Doctors usually make a diagnosis based on a combination of your medical history, physical examination results, and imaging tests.
A history of psoriasis, symptoms of joint pain, and problems with the joints near the fingertips are all auxiliary indicators for diagnosis.
Treatment and Management
Because chronic inflammation can lead to joint damage, early diagnosis and treatment are critical to slowing or preventing joint damage. Treatment options include biological drugs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and traditional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.
ConclusionThe main therapies focus on reducing and controlling inflammation to achieve the goal of minimal or low disease activity.
The interaction between the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis and the skin symptoms of psoriasis still deserves further study. Understanding its underlying causes may help improve the way the disease is diagnosed and treated. During the treatment process, can we find more effective and targeted solutions to improve patients' quality of life?
