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It's not just joint pain at all! How does psoriatic arthritis affect the whole body?
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a long-term inflammatory arthritis that is often found in people affected by autoimmune diseases, especially in patients with psoriasis.The classic characteristics of this type of disease are not limited to joint pain, but also skin damage and nail lesions. The range and severity of the impact are often beyond imagination and affect the overall quality of life of the patient.
Psoriatic arthritis is not limited to painful joints. Many patients also experience fatigue, skin lesions and other systemic symptoms.
Main Symptoms
Peripheral Pain
Most patients with psoriatic arthritis experience the effects of peripheral joints, and specific pain, swelling, or stiffness are common in single or multiple joints.These joints are usually red, warm to the touch, and in about 70% of cases exhibit asymmetric oligoarthritis, which affects 2 to 4 joints.
Axial Pain
About 25-70% of PsA patients experience axial pain, which often occurs in the sacral area and may be caused by sacroiliitis or spondylitis.
Nail Change
There is a high correlation between psoriatic arthritis and nail lesions.Several studies have shown that about 80-90% of PsA patients have nail psoriasis.It is often accompanied by nail depression, which is also an important indicator for diagnosing PsA.
Fatiguness
About 30% of PsA patients experience severe fatigue, which sometimes cannot be relieved even if they have sufficient rest.Recent studies have pointed out that this may be related to the patient's sleep quality.
The impact of psoriatic arthritis goes far beyond the joints and can also lead to many other systemic side effects.
The impact of disease
Complications of psoriatic arthritis are reported to include uveitis in the eyes, an increased risk of heart disease, and an increased risk of Crohn's disease.Studies also show that PsA may cause serious damage to joints, and even lesions to the limbs of "pencil cup", which can be seen in the impact on life.
Etiology and treatment
Psoriatic arthritis is a polygenic genetic disease. If it has a specific gene, people may experience an autoimmune reaction after exposure to certain substances.Although there is no confirmed diagnostic test, doctors usually confirm the diagnosis through medical history, physical examinations and imaging examinations.
Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly reduce the risk of joint damage, and controlling inflammation is the key to treatment.
Biologics and Drug Management
Therapeutic strategies are usually dominated by biological agents, which are specifically targeted to specific parts of the immune system.In addition, nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and traditional synthetic disease-modified anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are also one of the treatment options that help reduce pain and improve quality of life.
Epidemiology and future prospects
The incidence of psoriatic arthritis is around 0.1% to 0.2% worldwide, and affects age and gender balance in the population.Most patients with PsA develop symptoms between the ages of 30 and 55, and related risk factors include obesity and family history.
As the awareness of psoriatic arthritis gradually increases, future research will focus on more effective prevention and treatment methods, especially in early interventions, with significant progress expected.However, whether such research results can benefit every patient still require continuous discussion and efforts?
