What Causes Psoriatic Arthritis? Arthritis Psoriatic

The exact cause of psoriatic arthritis is unknown. Yet, like psoriasis, genetic, environmental and immunological factors are considered important in the development of psoriatic arthritis.

Genetic Factors

Psoriatic arthritis is more common in those with a family history (particularly in an affected parent or sibling) of the disease.

Environmental Factors Arthritis Psoriatic

Although the initial event that causes psoriatic arthritis is unknown, trauma and infection are possible triggers for the development of psoriatic arthritis.

Immunological Factors

The immune system is of central importance in the cause of psoriatic arthritis. The activation of the T cells in the immune system can cause the release of inflammatory messengers called cytokines, which are found in high levels in the joints of patients with psoriatic arthritis.

One such inflammatory messenger is tumor necrosis factor (TNF-a). It is found in increased concentration in the skin, blood and joints of patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

TNF-a is normally present in the body at low levels. It plays a key role in mediating inflammation in the body and is an important messenger that helps cause many of the signs and symptoms of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. The continual release of TNF-a results in chronic inflammation, with swelling and pain in the joints, and red, scaly, itchy lesions of psoriasis. Blocking TNF-a can lead to significant improvement in the skin and joints of patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Whom Does It Affect? Arthritis Psoriatic

Up to 15 to 30 percent of psoriasis sufferers will develop psoriatic arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis usually develops between the ages of 20 and 50, and is uncommon in children.

However, when the disease does occur in children, its development differs from that of adults. For example, in childhood, psoriatic arthritis affects females at three times the rate of males, whereas, in adulthood, women and men are affected equally. In addition, psoriatic arthritis develops before psoriasis in about 50 percent of children, compared to only 5 percent of adults. Almost 85 percent of adults with psoriatic arthritis develop psoriasis first.

Signs and Symptoms

Psoriatic arthritis can develop gradually and in its mildest form may produce minimal discomfort in those affected. In others, psoriatic arthritis may be severe and, if untreated, patients may become disabled with swollen, deformed joints. Psoriatic arthritis can produce several symptoms:

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