ADVERTISEMENT
Close
In This Issue, Subscribe, Free Issue, Contact Us
ADVERTISEMENT
 
Conditions > Psoriatic Arthritis > Which Comes First – Psoriasis or Arthritis?
Text Size Plus Minus | Print Email

Which Comes First – Psoriasis or Arthritis?

The answer isn’t always clear. Learn why.

By Bill Sanders

There’s a simple answer, but like most things associated with arthritis, the simple answer isn’t always the only answer.

“Most everyone who gets psoriatic arthritis gets the skin disease first,” says Eric Matteson, MD, chair of Mayo Clinic’s rheumatology department in Rochester, Minn. “Studies show anywhere between 5 and 30 percent of people with psoriasis will develop psoriatic arthritis. It’s probably closer to 10 percent,” he says.

However, he adds, “Some get [psoriatic] arthritis with no skin involvement; it’s unusual, but it can happen.”

People with psoriasis should talk to their doctor about recurrent joint pain. People who are older most likely have osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis. It has no connection to psoriatic arthritis, he says. If it turns out they do have psoriatic arthritis, they can get timely treatment, which is critical for avoiding or minimizing joint damage.

The problem is, he says, “Most people have no idea there is a disease called psoriatic arthritis. It’s important that that changes.”

MARY G.
24 Mar 2012, 11:42
In 2001 I started to have pain in my neck. By 2006 a pain pump was implanted and had to go on disability. They said I had stenosis, spondylothsis and DJD. I was 52, then my Body fell apart. I developed cataracts, lost my teeth, hip broke x2 (once spontaneous), developed a skin problem that no one can give me a diagnosis for,extreme dry mouth and eyes and fibomyalgia, all in the span of 3 years. The skin problem has left me with scaring/pitting mostly on face. In 2010 I began to have increased pain w/ numbness on the right side of my face and my head started to pull to the left shoulder. A MRI showed that the aldontiod of the 2nd vertebra was all but gone w/ extensive erosion to C1-C6. I had surgery to fuse C1-C2. They said I have RA in neck. Many of my other joints hurt but dont really exhibit classic signs of RA. Surgery helped some, but now head is again pulling to left and have increased pain. With all of this going on I wonder what exactly is wrong with me. I am on methotrexate. I feel old before my time.
Milly
21 Oct 2011, 06:41
This is really interesting because I don't have Psoriasis, I don't have a family history, but I have arthritis in my sacroiliac joint and DIP joints (as well as hips, knees, shoulders, wrists, MCP joints). I do have some pitting in my nails, but at the moment Psoriatic Arthritis is the most likely diagnosis. My rheumatologist said that the Psoriasis can follow, or may never come. I haven't found a lot of information on this.
Elaine Chipurn
27 Jun 2011, 18:36
I had a patch of psoriasis near my elbow when I was a teenager but it went away. I have since been diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erth. and Antiphospolipid Antibody Syndrome. I am taking Plaquenil for my Lupus. Suddenly I am having patches of flaky skin that I believe I recognize as psoriasis all over my body. I get new patches every day. My fingernails are also very bumpy and have dents the length of my nails. Recently the tendons that run up both my thumbs have started to hurt. Sometimes I feel like I can feel every bone in my feet. My question is can you have Lupus and psoriatic arthritis at the same time and does it sound possible with these new symptoms that psoriatic arthritis can be coming on?
Sue parsons
15 May 2011, 11:10
I had psoriasis since the age of 15years. My father also had it.3 months after my first daughter I got arthritis, it was so bad I could not even pick my daughter up. I had to have my mother in-law to stay a few weeks.I could not even butter toast the pain was so bad. I fell pregnant with my second daughter the pain seemed to go away, it only came back a little after having her.my doctor told me it's psoriasis/arthritis. I am 58 years old now so no more children, I know I felt alot better when I was pregnant the pain seemed to go away. Perhaps they can make a pill that tells your body you are pregnant,then we can get rid of all the pain.why do so many women get arthritis having children.?
Ralph Herro
02 Mar 2011, 11:05
A year and a half ago I had surgery on my neck tostablize some of the vertabre. Prior to that I would spend much time on the course playing. After surgery my condition improved immensly but than began having difficulty with pain in my lower back and wrists, Hip flexors are stiff and sore til I walk and loosen them up. Would you recommend I see a specialist as my GP has never indicated that I should.
Amber Boreo
20 Feb 2011, 23:46
Carolyn you should see a dermatologist that's where my psoriasis started they gave me a perscription shampoo that cleared it up...

Nevada ware you should definitely get it checked... especially if you have psoriasis... I made the mistake of dismissing the same type of joint pain and now my elbow is permanently damaged
Nevada Ware
15 Feb 2011, 17:19
What is psoriatic arthritis? What are some of the symptoms. i cannot raise my right arm over my head pain in shoulder to elbow feel like muscle is swollen. going for MRI in March 10. I have never injured my shoulder or armrd. i am taking 800mg of IB for pain. b
ut I am still unable to raise arm over head.
please respond soon Nevada Ware
Carolyn Thoms
15 Feb 2011, 09:35
I have been told that I have psoriatic of the scrap....the inch and flaky....what do
you do about that. What kind of doctor to
go to....

Leave a Comment

The comment function provides the opportunity to comment on the content above.

General comments or questions to Arthritis Today editors and medical experts can be submitted here. Past medical questions and answers are available here.

Promotion of products and services and other inappropriate comments are prohibited and will be removed. If you spot one of these before we do, please send an alert.

All fields are required but only your name and comment will be displayed. Your e-mail address will not be used for any other purpose.

Name:
Email:
Text:

ADVERTISEMENT
Arthritis Foundation National Health Council BBB Accredited Charity