Insights into Psoriatic Arthritis Types: Recognizing the Five Varieties of Psoriatic Arthritis
Revised Article:
Hell yeah, let's talk PsA, pal!
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) ain't the same as your ordinary garden-variety arthritis, even though it's related to psoriasis. Psoriasis, you know, that annoying skin condition that causes red, scaly skin. But PsA? That's the joint pain you're dealing with. And sometimes, you can have one or the other, or both at the same damn time.
If you're wrestling with PsA, it's essential to know what kind you're battling so you can get the right treatment. Here's a lowdown on the five main types, along with some treatment tips for each.
PsA's Five Types
PsA is a type of arthritis that afflicts about 20 to 30 percent of people with psoriasis. And you've got five types to contend with:
- Asymmetric PsA
- Symmetric PsA
- DIP PsA (Distal Interphalangeal predominant)
- Spondylitis PsA
- PsA Mutilans
FYI: There's some shit that can clue you in on which type you're dealing with, but your doctor will consider all your symptoms when making a diagnosis.
Asymmetric PsA
Asymmetric PsA is the most common type, making up at least 60 percent of cases. It fucks with your individual joints instead of matching sets on each side. That means you might feel like crap in one hand, while your other hand's totally cool. But don't get too comfortable, even if you're experiencing asymmetric PsA, you could still experience symptoms on both sides at the same time. According to a 2019 study, this type of PsA is more common in men.
Spotting it
Common symptoms of asymmetric PsA include fatigue, blurred vision, swollen fingers or toes, pitting or cracking nails, swollen, tender, stiff, or painful joints, swollen or painful ligaments or tendons.
Treating it
PsA doesn't have a goddamn cure, but there are ways to tame those symptoms. Your doctor can help you figure out which treatment (or combination of treatments) is right for you. Potential options include physical therapy, occupational therapy, oral corticosteroids, biologic drugs, NSAIDS, intra-articular joint injections, and more.
Symmetric PsA
With symmetric PsA, symptoms tend to show up on both sides of your body at the same damn time. Representing 15 to 61 percent of cases, it's more common in women.
Spotting it
Symmetric PsA symptoms are a lot like asymmetric PsA symptoms. It usually hits the smaller joints of the feet or hands, though, rather than larger joints like your knees or elbows.
Treating it
Treatments for symmetric PsA are like those for asymmetric PsA. Your unique symptoms, age, weight, mobility, pain level, and overall health will determine the ideal treatment plan.
By the way, studies show that smoking ciggies can make PsA symptoms worse and reduce some of the positive effects of treatment.
DIP PsA
About 10 percent of people with PsA have DIP PsA, which targets the DIP joints located near the tips of your toes and fingers. This bad boy can appear in one joint or affect several of them.
Spotting it
Common DIP PsA symptoms include swollen fingers or toes, ligament or tendon pain, reduced range of motion, joint stiffness in your fingers or toes, pitting, crumbling, white spots, discoloration, nail cracking, and detachment.
Treating it
Your doc might suggest NSAIDs, corticosteroid injections, or TNF inhibitors for mild inflammation and discomfort. For more severe cases, you might be prescribed a various fucking cocktail of drugs.
And hey, if you want to try some DIY treatments, here are a few possibilities:
- Cold therapy (up to 10 minutes on the affected area)
- Nail care routine (avoiding cuticle trimming, nail polish, and focusing on moisturizing with cuticle oils and creams)
- Soaking hands or feet (short soaks to avoid drying your skin, followed by a good moisturizer)
- Keeping hands and feet dry (gentle pat-drying after showers or opting for moisture-wicking socks)
Remember, chat with your doc before trying any home remedies to ensure they don't conflict with your prescriptions or worsen your unique symptoms.
Spondylitis PsA
Approximately 7 to 32 percent of people with PsA have spondylitis PsA, which targets the joints between your spinal vertebrae.
Spotting it
Spondylitis PsA can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in your neck and back, though symptoms can also affect your feet, hips, arms, legs, hands.
Treating it
Treatments for spondylitis can include NSAIDs, physical therapy, occupational therapy, immunosuppressants, sulfasalazine, biologic medications like TNF inhibitors, and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
PSA Mutilans
PsA Mutilans is a rare but severe form of PsA that affects about 5 percent of people with PsA. It usually causes severe pain, with a focus on hands, feet, or wrists.
Spotting it
PsA Mutilans can cause extreme inflammation, leading to joint deformities, bone loss, reduced range of motion, and pain radiating to other areas.
Treating it
PsA Mutilans is a progressive condition that can worsen over time, so it's crucial to manage symptoms as quickly as possible. Treatments can include anti-TNF inhibitors, DMARDs, biologic medications, and other drugs, including Etanercept (Enbrel). However, more research is needed to determine its effectiveness.
The Wrap-up
PsA is a type of arthritis that can affect up to 30 percent of psoriasis-suffering peeps. The condition varies for each person, so treatment plans are tailored to their specific needs.
Treatment may include medications to reduce inflammation and pain, as well as lifestyle changes like proper footwear, exercise, and stress management.
So, if you're experiencing joint pain and have psoriasis, talk to your doctor and get the treatment you deserve!
- Psoriasis, a skin condition characterized by red, scaly skin, is related to psoriatic arthritis (PsA) which causes joint pain.
- PsA can occur in 20 to 30 percent of people with psoriasis, and there are five main types: Asymmetric PsA, Symmetric PsA, DIP PsA, Spondylitis PsA, and PsA Mutilans.
- Asymmetric PsA, the most common type, affects individual joints instead of matching sets on each side, often more common in men.
- Symmetric PsA, representing 15 to 61 percent of cases, tends to show symptoms on both sides of the body and is more common in women.
- DIP PsA targets the DIP joints near the tips of toes and fingers, affecting around 10 percent of people with PsA, and can cause symptoms like swollen fingers or toes and pitting or cracking nails.
- Spondylitis PsA, affecting 7 to 32 percent of people with PsA, targets the joints between spinal vertebrae and can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the neck and back.
- PsA Mutilans, a rare but severe form, affects around 5 percent of people with PsA and causes extreme inflammation, joint deformities, bone loss, and reduced range of motion.
- PsA doesn't have a cure, but treatments can help manage symptoms, including physical therapy, oral corticosteroids, biologic drugs, NSAIDS, intra-articular joint injections, and more.
- Studies suggest that smoking cigarettes can worsen PsA symptoms and reduce the positive effects of treatment.
- In addition to medical treatments, lifestyle changes like proper footwear, exercise, and stress management may also help manage PsA symptoms.
- It's essential to consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis and personalized treatment plan, considering factors like unique symptoms, age, weight, mobility, pain level, and overall health.
- While dealing with PsA, it's also important to consider other aspects of health and wellness, such as mental health, sexual health, family health, fitness and exercise, skin care, weight management, womens health, parenting, and nutrition, as well as special considerations like Medicare, CBD, and skin conditions.
