Unfortunately, the causes of psoriatic arthritis are, as of yet, unknown. It is thought that a combination of immune, genetic and environmental factors are the culprits. For those patients who have psoriatic arthritis in the spine (called spondylitis), there is a gene marker named HLA-B27 which is often found. Blood testing is now available to see if this gene is present.
For instance, the decline of T cells in AIDS patients may be important when psoriatic arthritis develops. Something else that is under investigation by researchers is the relationship between infectious agents and other environmental factors as psoriatic arthritis progresses.
Doctors choose to treat either these symptoms of the disease only, or new psoriatic arthritis treatments may also target the causes of the disease.
Symptoms of psoriatic arthritis
In many patients, psoriasis comes initially but psoriatic arthritis may not present for months or years later. Psoriatic arthritis symptoms frequently involve the ankles, knees and joints in the feet. There are only a few joints that get inflamed at a time. They become painful, hot, swollen and red. If a patient happens to have symptoms in the fingers or toes, this can cause the entire digit to swell up, giving it the appearance of a "sausage".
Psoriatic arthritis symptoms usually involve joint stiffness which is worse early in the morning. At times, it may involve the joints of the body symmetrically just like rheumatoid arthritis. Other psoriatic arthritis symptoms include inflammation of the spine as well as the sacrum, stiffness in the buttocks, lower back, neck and upper back.
Patients with psoriatic arthritis symptoms may also develop tendonitis or inflammation of the tendons. Inflammation may also occur around the cartilage. Psoriatic arthritis symptoms may also cause inflammation of the tendon that lies behind the heel. This can lead to Achilles tendonitis leading to awful pain when trying to climb stairs or walk. Chest pain is another symptom of this disease.
Aside from spondylitis and arthritis, psoriatic arthritis symptoms can cause inflammation in the lungs, eyes and aorta. When the iris of the eye becomes inflamed, it can be aggravated by bright light. It may be necessary to inject corticosteroids right into the eyes to decrease inflammation and prevent blindness. When the area in and around the lungs become inflamed, this can cause chest pain, especially when a deep breath is taken. It can also cause shortness of breath. When the aorta becomes inflamed, this can cause leakage around the aortic valves which, in some cases, can lead to heart failure.
Psoriatic arthritis symptoms can cause acne and nail changes. In 80% of patients with this disease, pitting and ridges are seen in finger as well as toe nails. Acne occurs in a high number of patients who have this disease. A new syndrome has been seen in those who have psoriatic arthritis. It is characterized by an inflammation of the lining of the joints, acne and pustules on the palms or on the feet, inflamed and thickened bone and bone inflammation.
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