Psoriatic arthritis.
Psoriatic arthritis is the chronic inflammation of tendons, ligaments and in  general, the joints and surrounding tissues. The disease is a generalized rheumatic condition and accompanies psoriasis. In fact, one out of five people suffering from psoriasis present symptoms of arthritis. In rare cases, the latest precedes the onset of psoriasis.
Although both genders can encounter psoriatic arthritis during adolescence and adulthood, the most common appearance of the disease takes place in the fourth and fifth decade of a person’s life.
Typically, psoriatic arthritis affects the elbows, knees, fingers and toes but it may be found in ankles, hips, spine or neck. The characteristic symptoms of psoriatic arthritis include pain, redness, swelling, laborious movement and impaired dexterity.
Psoriatic arthritis seems to be of hereditary origin, although the precise causes have not been identified yet and it is considered an autoimmune disorder. T-cells, which are important defensive factors, mistakenly attack normal cells of our body and produce the inflammation symptoms. In other words, psoriatic arthritis is an aftermath of a biologic disorder. Studies have give evidence that bacterial or viral infections and environmental changes may trigger the onset of psoriatic arthritis.
Signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis.
Although the onset of psoriatic arthritis is usually mild, in a limited number of cases the symptoms can be sadden and severe. Psoriatic arthritis presents very similar symptoms to rheumatoid or reactive arthritis and gout. Thus, differential diagnosis may be needed. Tenderness, inflammation, pain, stiffness and swelling in one or more joints are the primary symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. Preceding signs may be fatigue, muscle pains, redness and discomfort in eyes and pathological changes in nails, resembling fungal infections.
In time diagnosis is very important, since it can help in more effective treatment and minimize the consequences. Clinical image, medical and family history, blood tests and radiographs are the main means for establishment of diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis.
Types of psoriatic arthritis.
Depending on the affected parts of the body, there are five types of psoriatic arthritis.
 Distal interphalangeal predominant psoriatic arthritis is localized in joints of fingers and toes.
Symmetric psoriatic arthritis is present in the same joints of both sides of the body.
Asymmetric psoriatic arthritis occurs unilaterally, contrary to the previous type of the disease.
Spondylitis is the inflammation of the spine. It is not common, since it includes only 5% of the psoriatic arthritis cases.
Arthritis mutilans is a severe type, resulting in serious deformation of the affected joints which can be in hands, feet, neck and lower back.
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