In some cases, psoriatic arthritis can be debilitating and damage joints when it is left untreated.
Beyond that, the following information can help you better anticipate the process involved with a psoriatic arthritis diagnosis.
And the severity of someonespsoriasisdoesnt determine whether they will develop psoriatic arthritis.
There are several tests involved for a psoriatic arthritis diagnosis.
Other psoriatic arthritisrisk factors include8:
Is psoriatic arthritis genetic?
A family of genes known as the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex may be involved.
However, there is still a lot of research to be done.
(Symptoms can also flare up and go into remission intermittently.
Trauma to the joints, such as from an injury, may cause flares.)
(Although, dermatologists sometimes diagnose psoriatic arthritis when theyve already been treating someone for psoriasis.)
Tests for psoriatic arthritis
Unfortunately, no single test exists for diagnosing psoriatic arthritis.
Your doctor will also ask about afamily history12of both psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis.
X-rays are the most common initial imaging tests used to diagnose psoriatic arthritis.
X-rays
After your physical exam and medical history discussion, your doctor may order X-rays.
The [psoriatic arthritis] diagnosis basically comes from a good physical exam and X-rays, Dr. Gupta says.
On X-rays, doctors are looking for changes in the joints specific to psoriatic arthritis.
Lab tests
To rule out gout, your doctor can perform a joint fluid test.
The presence of C-reactive protein may help support a psoriatic arthritis diagnosis.
People with rheumatoid arthritis will often test positive for the RF antibody.
People with psoriatic arthritis generally test negative for the RF antibody.
These can help physicians refer people to a rheumatologist for further psoriatic arthritis testing and possible diagnosis.
Since 2006, doctors have used a test known as the CASPARclassification criteria of psoriatic arthritisfor this purpose.
The treatment is very individualized, Dr. Gupta says.
Treatment can both help ease the severity of symptoms and prevent the disease from getting worse.
Usually doctors will recommend medication combined with lifestyle treatment for the best symptom management.
People with mild cases of psoriatic arthritis might just treat symptoms as they occur.
If those dont work, you may be prescribed a more powerful drug.
Even if biologics are indicated, some patients do not want to use needles.
So then we sit down with the patient and present them with the options, Dr. Gupta says.
The patients preference takes precedentwhich medication are they comfortable with?
Keep in mind that your treatment options may change over time based on new research and newly available therapies.
see to it you have ongoing conversations with your doctor about which treatment options may be best for you.
Lifestyle therapy
Managing psoriatic arthritis often includes more than just taking medications.
We are lucky in this era, Dr. Gupta says.
We have so many options that we can pick and choose the most appropriate treatment.
And there are very, very effective therapies available.
National Library of Medicine, Rheumatoid Factor
16.Rheumatology, Psoriatic Arthritis Screening: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
