Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory condition that develops in up to 30% of people with the skin condition psoriasis. It causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints and can also affect tendons, ligaments, and the spine.

PsA can develop at any age but most commonly appears between 30 and 50 years old. In some cases, joint symptoms may appear before the skin rash, making diagnosis more challenging. The condition can range from mild to severe and, without treatment, can cause permanent joint damage.

Common patterns of psoriatic arthritis include asymmetrical oligoarthritis (affecting a few joints on different sides of the body), symmetrical polyarthritis (similar to rheumatoid arthritis), spondylitis (affecting the spine), dactylitis (swelling of entire fingers or toes, sometimes called 'sausage digits'), and enthesitis (inflammation where tendons attach to bone, particularly the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia).

Dr Das takes a comprehensive approach to PsA management, working to control both joint and skin symptoms. Treatment options include NSAIDs for mild symptoms, conventional DMARDs such as methotrexate and sulfasalazine, biologic therapies targeting specific inflammatory pathways (TNF inhibitors, IL-17 inhibitors, IL-23 inhibitors), and JAK inhibitors. Regular monitoring ensures treatment effectiveness and allows timely adjustments.