Psoriatic arthritis

1/6 What is it?

Psoriatic arthritis is autoimmune joint inflammation that develops in some people who have psoriasis.

Besides the joints, it can affect the points where tendons attach to bone — the entheses — and the spine.

Swelling of a whole finger, giving a "sausage digit" appearance, is characteristic of this disease.

The skin signs can be small and easily missed: on the scalp, the elbows, around the navel or in the lower back.

2/6 Who is it for?

People with a diagnosis of psoriasis who develop joint pain.

People with pitting, thickening or discolouration of the nails.

People whose whole finger swells.

People with psoriasis in the family who develop joint symptoms.

People treated for a long time under another diagnosis without benefit.

3/6 When to seek care

• You have psoriasis and your joints have begun to hurt
• A whole finger has swollen and looks like a sausage
• Small pits have appeared in your nails, or a nail is lifting
• There is persistent pain behind or beneath the heel
• Your lower back hurts at night and is stiff in the morning
• Your knee or ankle has swollen

Having no skin rash does not rule out psoriatic arthritis. The joint symptoms sometimes begin years earlier.

4/6 Why it matters

Uncontrolled psoriatic arthritis can lead to lasting joint damage.

The disease is often recognised late, because the skin signs can be small or hidden.

Skin and joints are two faces of one disease. Managing them together improves the outcome.

The disease is associated with cardiovascular and metabolic problems. Those risks need following too.

5/6 How it is done

1. Examination. The joints, entheses, skin and nails are examined together.
2. Skin examination. The scalp, elbows, navel area and lower back are checked carefully — the rash can be small.
3. Blood tests. CRP and ESR are checked. Rheumatoid factor is usually negative, which helps in distinguishing.
4. Imaging. X-ray, and MRI or ultrasound where indicated.
5. Treatment plan. Disease-modifying medicines are prescribed, with biological treatment where indicated.

If one or two joints are more active than the rest, a local injection may be offered for those.

Working alongside a dermatologist for the skin is helpful.

6/6 Where it is done

Examination and follow-up take place in Baku, at StarLab Clinic.

Address: 20 Yanvar str. 88, 5th microdistrict, Baku, opposite the Qızıltac wedding hall.

Contact: +994 55 550 55 69.

No. Joint inflammation develops in only a proportion of people with psoriasis. When joint symptoms appear, an examination is needed.

Yes. In some patients the joint symptoms begin before the skin changes. Nail changes and family history are important clues in that case.

The joints affected, the nail and skin signs, enthesis inflammation and the blood test results all differ. The distinction is made by examination and testing.

The effect of sunlight on the skin signs and joint inflammation are separate things. How you use sun exposure should be agreed with your dermatologist.