What Is Psoriatic Arthritis?
3. Signs and Symptoms
Psoriasis generally begins in 60% to 80% of patients before the onset of psoriatic arthritis. In the residual 15% to 20%, arthritis appears before psoriasis begins. This may occur especially among those with a positive family history of psoriasis. Although most have a gradual onset, about 33% of patients experience acute symptoms. Some of the factors that may increase the risk of psoriatic arthritis include extensive skin involvement and the presence of nail lesions.
Some of the symptoms patients may experience are pain and stiffness in the joints. One important finding in patients with psoriatic arthritis is dactylitis, also known as sausage fingers; however, it is not specific for this condition. It involves the inflammation of the small joints of fingers or toes, causing the swelling of the entire digit. Furthermore, many people with psoriatic arthritis report symptoms that involve the eyes, the skin (scaly and red lesions), the nails (i.e. splinter hemorrhages, detachment from the nail bed, etc.), and nonspecific symptoms (i.e. fatigue).
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