Psoriatic Arthritis Occurs from Exposure To Enviromental and Gentic Factors
You become at risk for this disease due to exposure to environmental factors and/or you have the genes such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) associated with this condition. TNF is often found in high levels in people with psoriatic arthritis and it is known to cause inflammation. With this condition, your immune system mistakenly tells your body to speed up the growth cycle of skin cells. The skin cells quickly die but instead of falling off, they accumulate. The result is irritation of the skin and the development of red patchy areas. In some cases the activity of the immune system also causes inflammation and damage to your joints, leading to psoriatic arthritis.
Symptoms Develop
As the over activity of the immune system continues, symptoms appear. According to the Arthritis Foundation, "Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease that results in itchy patches of skin that have a red base with a silvery scale on top. The rash most commonly appears on the elbows, knees and scalp, but may be found anywhere on the body." As the condition progresses you may also develop swollen and achy joints, notice changes in the appearance of your nails, experience fatigue and develop redness and pain around the eyes similar to conjunctivitis. The Arthritis Foundation also states that "Nail involvement is the only clinical feature that identifies patients with psoriasis who are likely to develop arthritis."
You Develop a Certain Type of Psoriatic Arthritis
Your condition progresses based on the type of psoriatic arthritis you have. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation there are five different courses this disease can take. "Symmetric affects multiple symmetric pairs of joints (occurs in the same joints on both sides of the body). Oligoarticular affects few joints in an asymmetric pattern and is usually milder. Distal interphalangeal (DIP) affects primarily the distal joints of the fingers and toes (the joints closest to the nail). Spondylitis predominantly affects the spinal column from the neck to the lower back. Arthritis mutilans Affects the small joints of the hands and feet, although it can appear in other joints. This rare form of arthritis is severe and destructive."
