Condition: Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriactic Arthritis is arthritis with a root in improper immune system function. The immune system produces excess tumor necrosis factor (TNF ' a protein) causing joints and skin to become inflamed. The lifelong disease affects over 500,000 Americans. Psoriactic Arthritis is closely linked to the skin condition Psoriasis. About 5% of people with psoriasis will develop Psoriactic Arthritis, it is usually a precursor. Psoriasis and family history are the two most significant risk factors for developing Psoriactic Arthritis. Age also plays a role ' most cases of Psoriactic Arthritis develop between ages 35 and 55. Symptoms of Psoriactic Arthritis include joint pain and stiffness, swelling of a particular joint, nail changes and raised red patches of skin. If left untreated the Psoriactic Arthritis can cause permanent joint damage. Joints are affected in multiple ways ' joint space narrowing, joint deformity, joint fusing, abnormal bone growth and abnormal bone loss have been associated with Psoriactic Arthritis. Diagnosis cannot be done through a single test. Doctors usually have to rule out Rheumatoid Arthritis and Gout before diagnosing Psoriactic Arthritis. This may be done via a rheumatoid factor blood test, joint fluid testing and MRI's. There is no cure for Psoriactic Arthritis but it is medically very treatable. Priorities of medications aim to alleviate symptoms and prevent joint damage. In mild cases nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) help control inflammation. In more serious cases disease-modifying antirheumati drugs like leflunomide, methotrexate, sulfasalazine are prescribed. Newer to the market are drugs which block TNF such as adalimumab, etanercept, and infliximab.