Advanced psoriatic arthritis (PsA) symptoms include severe joint pain, stiffness (especially morning stiffness), swelling (like sausage fingers/toes), and fatigue, alongside worsening skin psoriasis, nail changes (pitting, separation), enthesitis (heel/tendon pain), and potential complications like inflammatory back pain (spondylitis), uveitis (eye inflammation), and even bowel or lung issues, leading to significant disability if untreated.
Symptoms of Psoriatic Arthritis
Joint stiffness, pain, and swelling of one or more joints. The joints of the spine can be affected as well, leading to stiffness in the neck, lower back, and hips. Joint stiffness is often worse in the morning or after resting. Fatigue (feeling tired) often or having a lack of energy.
Late-Stage or Advanced Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is considered advanced or late-stage “when patients have a lot of damage due to erosion and the fusion of joints,” says Dr. Mikulik. Inflammation causes bone tissue to break down, leading to symptoms like: Disability.
Arthritis mutilans is the most severe and painful form of psoriatic arthritis (PsA). It's thought to affect about 5% of people with PsA. Some reports suggest that as many as 16% of people with PsA may have it. Arthritis mutilans can affect your hands, wrists, knees, and feet.
In rare cases, psoriatic arthritis can lead to a serious condition called arthritis mutilans. This form of the disease causes severe pain and damage to the small bones in the hands, especially the fingers. Over time, it can change the shape of the fingers and make it hard to use the hands for everyday tasks.
Rheumatologists often prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, also known as NSAIDs, to people with psoriatic arthritis. These medications can help ease pain and curb the swelling that accompanies this condition. Common NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen.
IL-17 Inhibitors
In September 2024, the FDA approved a new member of this class for psoriatic arthritis, bimekizumab, a humanized monoclonal IgG1 antibody that binds to and inhibits both IL-17A and IL-17F. IL-17A and IL-17F share some overlapping inflammatory properties, but IL-17F is more elevated in psoriatic issues.
However, arthritis is linked to certain health conditions that can be covered by a critical illness policy, so in some circumstances, someone with arthritis can still make a critical illness claim when other critical health conditions materialise unless an exclusion was applied when you took out your policy.
Studies show close to 80% of people with psoriatic arthritis have some degree of fatigue. When you have this disease, your body makes proteins called cytokines that cause inflammation. They make your joints swell and become painful or stiff. These proteins may also cause fatigue, although doctors aren't sure why.
Even so, the pain and discomfort associated with psoriatic arthritis can be significant. A study found that the overall pain, joint pain, and fatigue reported by psoriatic arthritis patients were significantly greater than that reported by people with rheumatoid arthritis.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
This means flares can vary in intensity, duration and frequency, but they're usually reversible — if treated promptly. For most people, the flare risk increases when treatments are tapered or stopped. Other triggers include overexertion, stress, infection or poor sleep.
The red flags or most common symptoms of psoriatic arthritis are joint pain and joint stiffness, especially if you have psoriasis.
The most common misdiagnoses prior to receiving a diagnosis of PsA were psychosomatic disorder (26.6%), osteoarthritis (21.7%), anxiety or depression (18.2%), and orthopedic problems (18.2%) (Figure 2).
Using gabapentin with other arthritis treatments may help delay such procedures. While potentially useful for treating severe knee OA, there is no strong evidence that gabapentin can provide relief from autoimmune forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis.
Just as the effects of weather vary, the best climate may not be the same for all people. But based on research, it appears that for most people with arthritis, a warmer, drier climate may be optimal, such as that in parts of Texas, Arizona, Nevada and the Eastern Sierra region of California.
Otezla, a newer oral medication, targets a specific immune pathway, offering a more targeted and potentially gentler option with fewer side effects. Methotrexate, a traditional injectable drug, suppresses the entire immune system, leading to stronger but potentially harsher side effects.
Kim has spoken about using everything from prescription creams and light therapy to herbal teas and diet changes in her search for relief. She's tried medical-grade treatments under the guidance of dermatologists, but she has also experimented with natural remedies to see what her body responds to best.
There is no cure for psoriatic arthritis, but treatment can help manage symptoms, lessen inflammation, and protect your joints and skin from damage. One of the main treatment options is prescription medicine called disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, often shortened to DMARDs.
Steroid creams or ointments (topical corticosteroids) are commonly used to treat mild to moderate psoriasis in most areas of the body. The treatment works by reducing inflammation. This slows the production of skin cells and reduces itching. Topical corticosteroids range in strength from mild to very strong.
Fish Oil/Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Studies have indicated that Psoriatic arthritis patients taking fish oil alongside standard therapy experienced reduced joint pain, improved function, and decreased inflammation markers.