Psoriatic arthritis can be a difficult condition to live with. The joint and skin pain are manageable with prescription and over-the-counter treatments, but you may also need to make lifestyle changes, such as avoiding putting stress on your joints, according to the Mayo Clinic. Thankfully, if like many Americans you need your daily caffeine fix, recent studies have indicated caffeine is not only safe when taken with a common medication for psoriatic arthritis, but it also may actually help your psoriasis. Always consult your doctor if you have questions about your personal treatment and lifestyle options with psoriatic arthritis.
Psoriatic Arthritis and Your Body
Psoriasis manifests as red patches on the skin, sometimes topped with shiny, or silvery, flakes of scaly skin. About one out of 20 people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis, a condition which is essentially two conditions together -- psoriasis and arthritis. The arthritis manifests as joint pain, swelling and stiffness. Psoriatic arthritis can appear anywhere on the body, from the fingers to the spine. Typically, a flare-up of the arthritis will also mean a flare-up of the psoriasis.
A Study on Caffeine Consumption and Medication
A doctor may prescribe several types of medication for psoriatic arthritis. One of the more common medication varieties is a type of disease-modifying antirheumatic drug, or DMARD. DMARDs reduce the pain and inflammation common with psoriatic arthritis, and also work to prevent joint damage over time. Methotrexate, otherwise known as Trexall, is the most commonly prescribed DMARD. Because some animal and human studies had appear to show that caffeine consumption limits the effect of Methotrexate on psoriatic arthritis, researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona tested psoriatic arthritis patients who took Methotrexate and drank coffee daily. The scientists found no link between the caffeine in the patient's coffee and their Methotrexate dosage. In other words, caffeine does not appear to limit the effectiveness of Methotrexate on psoriatic arthritis symptoms. This study was published in "International Journal of Dermatology" in 2007.
A Study on Caffeine Used Topically for Psoriasis
A 2005 study in "The Journal of Dermatological Treatment" reported on the effect of using a 10 percent topical caffeine on psoriasis. Psoriasis patients were split into groups who used the topical caffeine and a placebo, with neither group aware of what they were using. Each group used their product three times a day, for eight weeks total, and made daily trips to a clinic where they recorded where, and how much, pain they were experiencing. After the eight weeks the researchers were able to show that using the caffeine topically was more effective than the placebo, leading them to recommend using a caffeine topical for psoriasis. They noted that topical caffeine is safe, effective, and cheap, and the only side effect was mild itching in some patients.
Further Considerations
There are a range of medication and lifestyle options available to you if you suffer from psoriatic arthritis. Though there is no cure, for the majority of people the symptoms are manageable. Work with your doctor to determine a treatment plan that best fits your personal physiology and lifestyle.
References
- PubMed Health: Psoriatic Arthritis: May 13, 2010
- Mayo Clinic: Psoriatic Arthritis: Dec. 9, 2010
- "International Journal of Dermatology"; Caffeine Consumption and Methotrexate dosing Requirement in Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis; Swanson D.L., et al; Feb., 2007; PMID: 17269967
- "The Journal of Dermatological Treatment"; Evaluation of the Efficacy of Topical Caffeine in the Treatment of Psoriasis Vulgaris; Vali A., et al; 2005; PMID: 16249145
