Category Archives: Psoriasis

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that occurs when the skin cells are replaced too rapidly. Normally, it takes about a month for new skin cells to migrate from the lower layers of skin to the skins surface, and as new cells reach the surface, old, worn-out cells are shed, creating a continual replacement process that supports healthy skin. In psoriasis, this replacement cycle process is sped up, with new skin cells migrating to the surface in just a few days instead of a month. As the skin cells near the surface, they create a backlog of unshed surface cells, forming large patches of thick, scaly skin called plaques. Although the specific underlying cause of psoriasis isnt known, research indicates the condition is related to an immune disorder that interferes with the normal skin replenishment cycle. Psoriasis plaques can be unsightly and embarrassing, but the disease is not contagious, which means it cannot be spread from one person to another.

Psoriasis is usually identifiable by the recurrent plaques of scaly, itchy skin that develop. These plaques can appear red or pink with a silvery or whitish sheen. Plaques tend to occur most commonly around the elbows and knees, but they can occur elsewhere as well. Other symptoms include:

Some people develop psoriatic arthritis, a painful condition that causes aching in the joints and joint stiffness. The best way to know for sure if you have psoriasis is to have an evaluation by a skilled dermatologist who can diagnose the condition with a physical exam, sometimes accompanied by a biopsy to rule out other conditions.

To date, there is no cure for psoriasis, but there are several treatments that can help reduce flare-ups and help keep symptoms under control. Prescription-strength topical medications and oral medications are effective in helping many patients manage their symptoms, and some patients benefit from phototherapy that uses precise measured doses of light to reduce scaly, itchy plaques.

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Psoriasis Specialist - Melbourne, FL & Titusville, FL ...

Psoriasis is a skin condition that creates red patches of skin with white, flaky scales. It most commonly occurs on the elbows, knees and trunk, but can appear anywhere on the body. The first episode usually strikes between the ages of 15 and 35. It is a chronic condition that will then cycle through flare-ups and remissions throughout the rest of the patient's life. Psoriasis affects as many as 7.5 million people in the United States. About 20,000 children under age 10 have been diagnosed with psoriasis.

In normal skin, skin cells live for about 28 days and then are shed from the outermost layer of the skin. With psoriasis, the immune system sends a faulty signal which speeds up the growth cycle of skin cells. Skin cells mature in a matter of 3 to 6 days. The pace is so rapid that the body is unable to shed the dead cells, and patches of raised red skin covered by scaly, white flakes form on the skin.

Psoriasis is a genetic disease (it runs in families), but is not contagious. There is no known cure or method of prevention. Treatment aims to minimize the symptoms and speed healing.

There are five distinct types of psoriasis:

People who have psoriasis are at greater risk for contracting other health problems, such as heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease and diabetes. It has also been linked to a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, cancer, depression, obesity and other immune-related conditions.

Psoriasis triggers are specific to each person. Some common triggers include stress, injury to the skin, medication allergies, diet and weather.

Psoriasis is classified as Mild to Moderate when it covers 3% to 10% of the body and Moderate to Severe when it covers more than 10% of the body. The severity of the disease impacts the choice of treatments.

Mild to moderate psoriasis can generally be treated at home using a combination of twokey strategies: over-the-counter medications andprescription topical treatments.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved of two active ingredients for the treatment of psoriasis: salicylic acid, which works by causing the outer layer to shed, and coal tar, which slows the rapid growth of cells. Other over-the-counter treatments include:

Prescription topicals focus on slowing down the growth of skin cells and reducing any inflammation. They include:

Treatments for moderate to severe psoriasis include prescription medications and biologics.

Oral medications. This includes acitretin, cyclosporine and methotrexate. Your doctor will recommend the best oral medication based on the location, type and severity of your condition.

Biologics. A new classification of injectable drugs, biologics are designed to suppress the immune system. These tend to be very expensive and have many side effects, so they are generally reserved for the most severe cases.

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Psoriasis - Kissimmee & Windermere, FL Dermatologists ...

Transcript:

Lakshi Aldredge, MSN, ANP-BC, DCNP: Weve covered a lot. We talked about topical treatments, we touched on phototherapy, we talked about the oral treatments, and then the different class of biologic agents, including the TNF [tumor necrosis factor]alpha inhibitors, IL-17s and the IL-23s. Thats whats exciting: theres even more research thats happening in the field of psoriasis, and there are new agents coming into the field. Can you talk a little about whats coming down the pipeline?

Matthew Brunner, MHS, PA-C, DFAAPA: Im really excited. First, we have just seen such an explosion of immunology, knowledge, education, and therapeutics in the last 20 years. And that knowledge and advancements continuing. There are new classes of immunologic agents called tyrosine kinase inhibitors [TKIs], and theyre hopefully going to be entering the fray very soon. Theyre going to offer another modality and an oral agent that patients will be able to take, hopefully with more convenient dosing options and good safety. Well see all that come to fruition.

Then theres this topical therapeutic aryl hydrocarbon receptor modulating agents that are being studied in both psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. And we may see those in both topical and systemic iterations down the road. The future has never been brighter to be a psoriasis patient. I tell my patients all the time, its never great to have psoriasis, but youve never lived at a better time to have psoriasis. Every time I see them back in a future visit, the same holds true because new agents are comingnew targets, to help them manage their conditionare being brought to market. Its really exciting. What do you think about the future?

Lakshi Aldredge, MSN, ANP-BC, DCNP: You said it very well. Its such a great time to be in the field of psoriasis management because there continues to be such activity and research. We have very passionate researchers who are really looking to find a cure. In the meantime, finding all these targets that help improve the skin, help improve the joints. There new agents coming out, but its also important to understand that, for example, with the IL-23s, there are new indications being studied. Right now, many of the IL-23s are indicated for moderate to severe psoriasis in adult patients. Were going to see clinical trials that are being completed currently in adolescents and in pediatrics. Thats something that we can look forward to. Also, we can look forward to data that are going to be coming shortly about psoriatic arthritis and the use of IL-23 inhibitors in psoriatic arthritis disease. Thats going to be very promising as well.

You said it perfectly: the future has never looked brighter for our patients with psoriasis. As we move toward the goal of clear or near-clear skin and also looking at them holistically, helping prevent the development or worsening of those other comorbiditiessuch as metabolic syndrome, psychosocial disease, and cardiovascular riskall these treatment modalities can help us help our patients with psoriasis to live long and healthy, happy, successful lives. Thats our role as NPs [nurse practitioners] and PAs [physician assistants] in dermatology. Its a very exciting time.

Matthew Brunner, MHS, PA-C, DFAAPA: Thank you for joining me today. This has been really a fun conversation. Hopefully its been educational for those of you watching. Thank you for watching HCPLive Peers & Perspectives. If you enjoyed the content, please subscribe to our e-newsletters to receive upcoming Peers & Perspectives and other great content right in your in-box.

Transcript edited for clarity.

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Anticipated Developments in the Field of Plaque Psoriasis - MD Magazine

Psoriasis, a common autoimmune disorder that impacts over a million South Africans,1 is often misunderstood to be a simple skin disorder. This couldnt be further from the truthpsoriasis is a serious chronic disorder that negatively impacts the overall health of a person, and can present with serious co-morbidities such as heart, lung and kidney problems.2

Unlike other chronic diseases, psoriasis is visible to other people. This makes the disease even more complicated and debilitating, as many patients also suffer with mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, poor self-esteem and relationship challenges. A recent study found that one third of adults living with psoriasis said that the disease interferes with their love life.3

Sharon* was just seven years old when she had a severe case of chicken pox that left 90% of her body inflamed with painful burning scales. After a visit to a dermatologist, Sharon was diagnosed with psoriasis and has lived with this debilitating skin disease for over thirty years. This is Sharons story.

When my symptoms of psoriasis started, there werent many treatment options available and over the years, I tried a myriad of creams and UVA light therapies. Unfortunately, nothing helped me achieve clear skin, said Sharon. My life was filled with burning, itchy and embarrassing skin, at times I felt trapped alone at home. Those rare times that I did venture out, I hid my skin under layers of clothes.

My psychological pain and anguish were worse than the pain of my skin, added Sharon. At that time, my doctors didnt seem to consider my emotional suffering and the impact psoriasis had on my whole life. It all became so unbearable that I went to the darkest places of my mind and considered ending my life.

namtipStudio/shutterstock

Shortly after I considered suicide, I had a heart-to-heart with my doctor, who prescribed a biologic treatment, said Sharon. Initially, I didnt have much hope, until I saw the difference it made to my skin. For the first time in years, I felt comfortable to wear sleeveless clothing and go out without covering up. I was overcome by joy!

In addition to the right medication, lifestyle changes can also make a difference.

Its important to get the right treatment for your condition. Psoriasis patients are urged to motivate and pressurise their medical aid to cover the cost of treatment as it is a chronic and debilitating disease. In addition, it is your constitutional right to access healthcare.

Psoriasis impacts people in different ways, and requires individual treatment, says Dr Noufal Raboobee, a dermatologist based in Durban South Africa. While each patient requires a unique treatment plan, whats critical is that they find the right treatment plan to achieve clear skin, and do so before the disease escalates and causes additional health co-morbidities. Everyone deserves to live a fulfilled life without pain and shame.

If you, or a loved one is experiencing dry, painful, scaly skin that just wont heal, or any other symptoms of psoriasis, talk to a dermatologist. You can also learn more about psoriasis by visiting the #MoreThanSkinDeep page on Facebook. Remember, psoriasis can be treated and clear skin is achievable and its your right to get the treatment you need to live a healthy, fulfilled life.

*Name of patient has been changed for privacy reasons.

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Living With Psoriasis. A Sufferer Shares Her Thoughts - Longevity LIVE - Longevity LIVE

Patients with psoriasis exhibited superior efficacy outcomes when treated with ultraviolet (UV)-based phototherapy plus other adjuvant therapies vs UV monotherapy, with similar safety profiles shown for both approaches.

The efficacy of ultraviolet (UV)-based phototherapy for psoriasis may be improved when combined with other adjuvant therapies, according to study findings published last week in Annals of Medicine.

Beyond the use of systemic therapies such as oral retinoids or biologics, UV-based phototherapy with UVB or psoralen UVA (PUVA) has been shown to be a well-established and generally effective therapeutic option for the treatment of psoriasis. Moreover, researchers said that although systemic and biological treatments are strongly recommended for severe and diffuse skin diseases, these medications can cause systemic adverse effects and immunosuppression.

These UV-based phototherapies, along with their combination with other treatments, are thought to be effective treatments for many patients with psoriasis, leading to an urgent demand for comparative studies of efficacy referring to clinical decision-making, they noted.

Seeking to compare the clinical efficacy and safety profile of different UV-based phototherapies in the treatment of psoriasis, the investigators conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials registered in the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Embase databases.

UV-based therapies were assessed as a monotherapy or in combination with various drugs and remedies, including systematic treatments, skin lubricants, vitamins, and vitamin derivatives in the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis. Five phototherapy strategies were identified and analyzed:

The primary outcome for assessing effectiveness and safety was Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 75 response (75% or more reduction in PASI score from baseline) and withdrawal due to adverse events, in which effects were ranked and calculated by surface under the cumulative ranking analysis (SUCRA).

In the meta-analysis, 32 studies involving 2120 patients with psoriasis (mean age, 41.5 years; 61.6% male) were included. Compared with monotherapy of PUVA and UVB, PASI 75 response was significantly higher in those treated with cPUVA (risk ratio [RR], 1.39; 95% CI, 1.00-1.94) and cUVB (RR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.03-1.57), respectively. Moreover, PUVA combined with vitamin D and its derivatives ranked highest concerning clinical effect and safety (clusterank value = 7393.2).

Regarding safety, no significant difference was reported for withdrawal due to adverse events or incidence of erythema. The relatively safest strategy was cPUVA, particularly PUVA combined with calcium/vitamin D derivatives (RR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.30-3.17; SUCRA = 80.8%).

cPUVA and cUVB, especially combined with calcium/vitamin D derivatives, are both safe and effective treatments for psoriasis and have the potential for the first choice in the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis, concluded the researchers. However, more high-quality trials are necessary for confirming our findings.

Reference

Li Y, Cao Z, Guo J, et al. Assessment of efficacy and safety of UV-based therapy for psoriasis: a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Ann Med. Published online January 6, 2022. doi:10.1080/07853890.2021.2022187

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Adjuvant Ultraviolet-Based Therapy More Effective vs Monotherapy in Psoriasis - AJMC.com Managed Markets Network

This article was originally published here

Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2022 Jan 18. doi: 10.1007/s12016-021-08914-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by psoriasis, synovitis, enthesitis, spondylitis, and the possible association with other extra-articular manifestations and comorbidities. It is a multifaceted and systemic disorder sustained by complex pathogenesis, combining aspects of autoinflammation and autoimmunity. Features of PsA autoinflammation include the role of biomechanical stress in the onset and/or exacerbation of the disease; the evidence of involvement of the innate immune response mediators in the skin, peripheral blood and synovial tissue; an equal gender distribution; the clinical course which may encounter periods of prolonged remission and overlapping features with autoinflammatory syndromes. Conversely, the role of autoimmunity is evoked by the association with class I major histocompatibility complex alleles, the polyarticular pattern of the disease which sometimes resembles rheumatoid arthritis and the presence of serum autoantibodies. Genetics also provide important insights into the pathogenesis of PsA, particularly related to class I HLA being associated with psoriasis and PsA. In this review, we provide a comprehensive review of the pathogenesis, genetics and clinical features of PsA that endorse the mixed nature of a disorder at the crossroads of autoinflammation and autoimmunity.

PMID:35040085 | DOI:10.1007/s12016-021-08914-w

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The Conundrum of Psoriatic Arthritis: a Pathogenetic and Clinical Pattern at the Midpoint of Autoinflammation and Autoimmunity - DocWire News

Elder Care Colts Neck, NJ: Signs of a Psoriasis Flare up

Psoriasis is a kind of skin problem thathappens whenskin cellsdevelop more rapidly than they should. It results inskin cells collectingon the surface of the skin, forming scaly patches.The diseasehas no cure and symptoms may come and goover the course of a lifetime.Because of the transient nature of the symptoms, it can be helpful for family caregivers to know what signs to look for that signal a psoriasis flare up.

Flare Up Signs

Not everyonewho has psoriasisexperiences the same symptomsbecause they can vary by the kind of psoriasis the person has.However,experts have identified some of the most common symptoms ofa psoriasis flare up, which are:

Common Causes of Flare Ups

Flare ups are often triggered by something. However, what triggers a flare up in one person may notcause one in the next.It can be helpful to track your aging relatives symptoms as well as activities, foods they eat, and things theyve come in contact with to determine what their triggers are. Somethings that often trigger psoriasis flare ups are:

Elder care can help older adults who suffer from psoriasis todeal withflare ups and help avoid them, too. An elder care provider can help to track symptoms and possible triggers by writing information down in a notebook.Elder care providers can also reduce the stress in a seniors lifesimply byensuring they have the help they need to continue living in their home and knowing theyll have the assistance they need.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Elder Care in Colts Neck, NJ, please contact the caring staff atLaresHome Care888-492-3538or 732-566-1112.

Sources

https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/psoriasis/psoriasis-signs-symptoms

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/psoriasis/symptoms-causes/syc-20355840

https://www.aad.org/psoriasis-symptoms

Roy Kleinert founded Lares Home Care in 2015, when he decided to leave Wall Street and make a shift into the home care industry. During the illness of a family member, he recognized an opportunity to help seniors better age in place with dignity and grace. Roy lives in Marlboro, NJ with his family and his three dogs. Roy is also the certified handler of Lares therapy dogs: Max and Boomer. Together, they visit local hospitals, rehab facilities, and senior living communities, bringing four-legged-cheer wherever they go. Lares Home Care is dedicated to providing the highest quality of client care and customer service.

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Signs of a Psoriasis Flare up - Lares Home Care LLC

HONG KONG, Dec. 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Akeso, Inc. (09926.HK) announces that Gumokimab (IL-17A monoclonal antibody, AK111), an innovative drug independently developed by the Companyfor the treatment of active ankylosing spondylitis has been completed. Such clinical trialaims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Gumokimab for the treatment of patients withactive ankylosing spondylitis.

Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the medial joints and can lead to spinal deformity and loss of function to patients.IL-17, a key inflammatory cytokine in thepathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis, has demonstrated good commercial value with itsunique efficacy and safety advantages, and has become a new therapeutic target.

Secukinumab and Ixekizumab, which have the same drug targets as AK111, have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration of the United States (FDA) for the treatmentof ankylosing spondylitis. The global sales of IL-17A monoclonal antibody drugs amountedto approximately US$5.783 billion in 2020.

At present, there is no independently developed monoclonal antibody drugs against IL-17 approved for marketing in China, resulting in strong clinical demand. Gumokimab, being anindependently developed and innovative drug in China, is expected to bring new hope topatients with ankylosing spondylitis in the future.

INFORMATION ABOUT GUMOKIMAB (IL-17A MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY, AK111)

Gumokimab is a novel drug targeting IL-17A of autoimmune treatment diseasesindependently developed by the Company. Gumokimab is intended to be used for thetreatment of diseases such as psoriasis and ankylosing spondylitis. Through combination ofcompetitive blockers, namely IL-17A and IL-17R, and blocking the biological activities ofIL-17, Gumokimab has reached the efficacy in immune-related diseases in clinical therapies.The clinical trial of Gumokimab, which involves multiple subcutaneous injections ofescalating doses to subjects with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, has completed. Theclinical trial results have shown that Gumokimab can significantly improve the condition ofsubjects with psoriasis, including the proportion of patients with Psoriasis Area and SeverityIndex (PASI) reaching 100, showing Gumokimab is of good safety and tolerability.Currently, the assessment of primary endpoints of Gumokimab for treatment of all subjectswith moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis has been completed, and it is expected to advanceto phase III clinical trial in early 2022.

SOURCE Akeso, Inc.

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Akeso's IL-17A MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY (GUMOKIMAB) COMPLETION OF PATIENT ENROLLMENT IN PHASE II CLINICAL TRIAL FOR THE TREATMENT OF ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS...

(Eds: Disclaimer: The following press release comes to you under an arrangement with Business Wire India. PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.)Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India Business Wire India

Rheumatological conditions/autoimmune diseases have been increasing at an alarming rate, early detection can help arrest disease progression and prevent complications. The Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology at Sri Ramakrishna Hospital provides an in-depth look into various rheumatological conditions and the signs to look for to make an early diagnosis.

Rheumatology is a subspeciality of medicine, which involves the study of muscles, tendons and joints. Immunology deals with the immune system, which is the first line of our bodys natural defence system. It plays a vital role in safeguarding us from various illnesses affecting our bodies. However, when this immune system fails to function properly, it leads to many autoimmune diseases.

Rheumatic diseases can affect any part of the body, from head to toes. It may start as simple as a fever or rash, and these signs may only be the beginning of a serious underlying health problem. Rheumatological conditions need to be diagnosed and treated at the earliest to avoid long-term complications, including joint deformities and disabilities. General awareness of rheumatology and immunology is necessary to make an early diagnosis and avoid unwanted long-term sequelae.

Rheumatoid arthritis

The most common form of immune-mediated inflammatory arthritis is Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). It generally affects the joints either on one side or both sides of the body. This condition usually starts as joint pain, swelling and stiffness, and if left ignored, it could progress to deformities and severe restriction in motion. In addition, RA can affect other parts of the body including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, and kidneys.

Ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is another form of immune-mediated inflammatory arthritis and is a type of seronegative arthritis. AS typically affects adolescents and young adults, causing back pain and stiffness, more pronounced first thing in the morning and after prolonged rest. It causes spine deformity and a stopped posture if left untreated. AS also affects peripheral joints and cause extra-articular features, commonly affecting eyes (uveitis), skin (psoriasis) and bowel (inflammatory bowel disease).

Psoriatic arthritis and other Seronegative arthritis

Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) is another type of seronegative arthritis which occurs in one-third of patients with skin or scalp psoriasis. It can occur even before or concurrently, or after developing psoriasis. There are also other types of seronegative arthritis such as Reactive Arthritis, Spondyloarthropathy (SpA) and Enteropathic Arthritis (arthritis due to ulcerative colitis and Crohns disease). These conditions are collectively labelled as seronegative arthritis as the blood test for rheumatoid factor (RF) is negative. They share many clinical, radiological and genetic features, different from RA.

Various traditional and contemporary treatments are available for RA, AS, PsA and other seronegative arthritis. Conventional treatments are called disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and modern treatments are constantly evolving to target specific proteins (Cytokines), which perpetuate the disease process. These modern drugs are called Targeted Therapies and Biologics, which have revolutionized the treatment of arthritis. These contemporary treatments are in the form of tablets, injections, and infusions.

Gout and Pseudogout

Gout is the most common form of Inflammatory Monoarthritis (arthritis affecting a single joint), and the great toe is the most common joint affected. It causes sudden onset of excruciating joint pain associated with swelling, redness and heat. It is due to a buildup of high uric acid levels in the body with the deposition of uric acid crystals in the affected joint. It is generally due to the high intake of a purine-rich / high protein diet. Alcohol is another common risk factor for gout, and lifestyle modifications including reducing weight, increasing physical activities, adequate hydration and avoiding a high purine diet and alcohol are crucial in the treatment and prevention of gout. Pseudogout is another form of crystal arthritis that mimics gout, and it is usually secondary to certain medical conditions and not due to dietary risk factors.

Connective tissue diseases and Vasculitis

Connective Tissue Diseases (CTD) and vasculitis are also common rheumatological conditions, and the examples include Lupus (SLE), Sjogrens syndrome, Scleroderma, Mixed Connective Tissue Disorder (MCTD) and Myositis. They can cause many symptoms affecting various organs with or without Arthritis, so patients with these conditions may present to different specialists with diverse symptoms. It is crucial to diagnose these conditions very early and treat them aggressively to prevent major organ or life-threatening complications. Modern treatments including biologics are now available to effectively manage these once dreadful conditions.

Osteoporosis

As the name implies, this condition leads the bones to become porous and weakens the bone to a great extent, resulting in a fracture. Osteoporosis is aptly called a silent disease as the condition may go unnoticed for a long time, and the first presentation may be a fracture without any trauma. It is most common in post-menopausal women, but it can affect young women and men due to some risk factors. It can be effectively treated using both conventional and modern drugs in the form of tablets, subcutaneous injections and intravenous infusions.

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) and other childhood rheumatological conditions

JIA is similar to the adult form of immune-mediated inflammatory arthritis such as RA, AS and PsA that occurs in children aged 16 or younger. Treatment for JIA are similar to the adult form of arthritis, and they include DMARDs, targeted therapies and biologics. A child needs to be diagnosed at the earliest and treated intensively to prevent irreversible joint damage and other unwanted long-term sequelae. Periodic Fever Syndromes (PFS) or Systemic Autoinflammatory Disorders (SAID) are other rare forms of childhood rheumatological conditions that commonly present with fever and rash with or without arthritis. These conditions require careful evaluation and management by experts with modern treatments to stop disease progression and prevent complications.

About The Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology

The Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology Department at Sri Ramakrishna Hospital has an experienced rheumatology team. In addition, it has close links with other medical and surgical specialities, including allied therapies such as physiotherapy and orthotics, to provide an efficient multidisciplinary service.

It has full-fledged laboratory facilities, including immunology, biochemistry, microbiology, haematology, and histopathology, which assist in making a precise diagnosis and starting appropriate treatment as early as possible.

Sri Ramakrishna Hospital (https://www.sriramakrishnahospital.com) also has an excellent radiology & nuclear medicine department with state-of-the-art imaging facilities, including musculoskeletal ultrasound (US), MRI, CT, HRCT, x-rays, bone mineral density (BMD/DEXA), whole body, as well as three-phase isotope bone scan and PET-CT.

About Sri Ramakrishna Hospital

Sri Ramakrishna Hospital has attained an iconic reputation since its inception in 1975. Situated right in the heart of Coimbatore city, this hospital has in many ways become a part of medical history. In fact, it has been an integral part of the healthcare revolution of modern India. Established and run by the SNR Sons Charitable Trust, Sri Ramakrishna Hospital treats thousands upon thousands of patients each year. From the most advanced procedures to treatments for everyday ailments, they bring relief to patients from all walks of life using state-of-the-art technology and cutting-edge surgical and medical techniques to deliver outstanding outcomes.

https://www.youtube.com/c/SriRamakrishnaHospitalhttps://www.facebook.com/SriRamakrishnaHospitalhttps://www.instagram.com/ramakrishnahospitalhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SriRamakrishnaHospital

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Rheumatology and the Things One Needs to Care About - THE WEEK

You have psoriasis, and now youre experiencing joint pain. Does this mean you have psoriatic arthritis? Or could it be unrelated?

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Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, and, sometimes, it can occur alongside psoriasis. Then again, psoriatic arthritis is also a possibility if you are experiencing skin symptoms, says rheumatologist Rochelle Rosian, MD.

How can you make sense of it all? We talked to Dr. Rosian to find out what these types of arthritis have in common, how they differ and how to treat them.

The word arthritis is kind of a catch-all term, Dr. Rosian explains. Its used to describe more than 100 different conditions that cause pain, swelling and joint damage. Osteoarthritis and psoriatic arthritis are two of those many conditions.

Osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease, is the most common type of arthritis. It occurs when the cartilage that cushions your bones wears down, leaving bone to rub against bone.

Since its caused by wear and tear on the joints over time, it usually develops in older adults. Unlike psoriatic arthritis, osteoarthritis doesnt involve inflammation or an overactive immune system.

Common features of osteoarthritis include:

The location of the pain depends on the type of osteoarthritis:

Psoriatic arthritis is a type of inflammatory arthritis. It occurs when your bodys immune system works overtime, creating inflammation throughout your body. In psoriatic arthritis, that inflammation targets the joints and the places where tendons and ligaments attach to bones.

Most people with psoriatic arthritis also have psoriasis, a disease that causes red, scaly patches of skin. Psoriatic arthritis can strike at any age, though symptoms usually develop between ages 30 and 50.

Psoriatic arthritis causes symptoms in your joints and beyond, including:

Joint symptoms:

Skin symptoms:

Other symptoms:

In osteoarthritis, X-rays may show signs like worn cartilage. In psoriatic arthritis, X-rays can show joint damage in later stages of the disease.

But they arent especially helpful in making a diagnosis in the early stages. X-rays can help make an arthritis diagnosis. But they arent always a slam dunk, Dr. Rosian says.

X-rays can also reveal bone spurs, which can develop in people with osteoarthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Those images may reveal differences between the two diseases:

To diagnose joint disease, your healthcare provider will probably consider several factors in addition to X-rays, including:

Getting an accurate diagnosis is important since psoriatic arthritis and osteoarthritis require different treatments.

Medications are often an essential part of treating arthritis. But the medications can differ depending on the type.

Treatments for osteoarthritis include:

Treatments for psoriatic arthritis include:

In addition to medication, you can take other steps to manage arthritis symptoms. These approaches can help whether you have psoriatic arthritis or osteoarthritis:

By making certain lifestyle changes and working with your doctor to develop a treatment plan, you can keep arthritis symptoms in check, says Dr. Rosian.

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Psoriatic Arthritis vs. Osteoarthritis - Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic