Psoriasis arthritis

Short characteristic of a disease

As it becomes clear from the name, psoriasis arthritis combines two diseases at once – a pseudorheumatism and psoriasis. Inflammatory process affects joints of the person and at the moment is the most severe form of display of psoriasis. Prevalence of a disease among the population of Earth is small. By estimates of specialists, psoriasis arthritis which symptoms can be shown only at late stages is widespread in the basic among patients with psoriasis (from 7 to 47%). Ordinary people suffer from inflammatory process much less often (the disease is recorded at 2-3% of the population).

Insidiousness of psoriasis arthritis is shown that it can proceed absolutely without serious consequences. As the result, in most cases a disease is found too late when adverse changes of joints are already irreversible. It means that at timely diagnosis psoriasis arthritis, treatment has to be appointed as soon as possible that will allow to avoid serious effects and complications. Ways of early detection of inflammatory process are standard: careful observation of an organism, response to the known symptoms, regular inspection at the rheumatologist.

All standard preventive actions important at other orthopedic diseases have no effect in a case with psoriasis arthritis as the exact reason of development of an inflammation is not known to doctors. It means that in the main way of fight against a disease there is a so-called secondary prevention which is directed to delay of rates of spread of pathology and preservation of the main functions of joints.

Unfortunately, in one clinic of the world to these do not guarantee absolute disposal of this unpleasant disease. At the moment time researchers only just begin to understand mechanisms of work of immune system of an organism. It is possible that in several years efficient medicine will be found, but meanwhile at the diagnosis psoriasis arthritis, treatment continues to lean on the ineffective medicines suppressing too strong immune responses of an organism. Respectively, sick people continue to suffer from gradual destruction of soft tissues and joints. Many of patients for the rest of life become disabled people.

Psoriasis arthritis – symptoms and a clinical picture

The most characteristic signs of an inflammation are an emergence of the red, shelled spots on skin, change of pigmentation of nails standing and hands, formation of the small scars reminding pockmarks. Psoriasis plaques have the small sizes, but they quickly extend on all body, and this process is followed by an unpleasant itch and constant feeling of discomfort. As it was already told above, at the diagnosis psoriasis arthritis symptoms can be shown very late therefore each person needs to undergo regularly inspection at the rheumatologist and to watch a condition of the organism. An indirect sign of existence of inflammatory process are joint pains and their swelling, however, they are characteristic also of a usual pseudorheumatism therefore at any unpleasant feelings it is necessary to consult with the specialist to exclude risk of emergence of heavy complications.

Psoriasis arthritis – treatment and forecasts

Any specific technique of treatment of an inflammation of joints does not exist therefore all efforts of doctors are bent on recovering the lost functions and to kill severe pain. The following groups of drugs are for this purpose used:

• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, in particular, ibuprofen. Similar drugs reduce constraint of joints, kill pain, suppress development of an inflammation. At the same time, they make negative impact on intestines, kidneys, heart and a mucous membrane of a stomach therefore it is necessary to take them with caution;
• glucocorticoids – are used when psoriasis arthritis is followed by strong, sharp joint pains;
• basic drugs – reduce pain and an inflammation, prevent spread of a disease on other joints. Drugs of this group work very slowly therefore the effect of their use becomes swept up several weeks later after the beginning of a course of treatment;
• immunosuppressive means – partly suppress immune system, but save healthy fabrics from "attack" of our own organism that, actually, and occurs at psoriasis arthritis. The most known immunosuppressive drugs are a cyclosporine and Azathioprinum.

Surgical intervention at treatment of psoriasis arthritis is practically not used. Resort to it only when the disease continues to extend, despite drug intake, and threatens to pass to healthy joints.