Psoriatic Arthritis: A Review

Abstract

Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory arthritis which affects the skin and musculoskeletal system. If not diagnosed early and treated effectively it can result in joint deformity and disability. Treatments such as oral disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and biologic therapy are effective but have side effects which could limit their use in certain individuals. Further research aimed at identifying cases earlier in order to improve outcomes is currently being conducted.

Keywords

• arthritis mutilans
• biologics
• dactylitis
• disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
• psoriatic arthritis (PsA)
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• the classification of psoriatic arthritis (CASPAR)
• tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)