Arthritis Psoriatic Arthritis Psoriatic Arthritis Guide Psoriatic Arthritis Guide Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Coping Symptoms of Psoriatic Arthritis Signs and symptoms can vary by the subtype By Carol Eustice Carol Eustice Facebook Carol Eustice is a writer covering arthritis and chronic illness, who herself has been diagnosed with both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Learn about our editorial process Updated on September 22, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Anita C. Chandrasekaran, MD, MPH Medically reviewed by Anita C. 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Learn about our editorial process Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Frequent Symptoms By Subtype When to See a Healthcare Provider Frequently Asked Questions Next in Psoriatic Arthritis Guide Causes and Risk Factors of Psoriatic Arthritis Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) symptoms such as pain and joint stiffness may seem distinct from those related to psoriasis, but they are actually a direct consequence of the disease. The inflammation that results when the immune system suddenly attacks normal cells in the outer layer of skin can "spill over" and eventually impact other cells and tissues. Over time, the same inflammation that gave way to skin changes can lead to the development of psoriatic arthritis. It is even possible to have psoriatic arthritis with no skin involvement at all. It is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis so that a healthcare provider can diagnose the disease and start treatment as soon as possible. Know, too, that psoriasis may look different depending on one's skin tone. According to a 2014 study in the journal Drugs, as many as 40% of people with psoriasis will develop psoriatic arthritis to varying degrees. On the flip side, 85% of people with psoriatic arthritis will also have psoriasis. Frequent Symptoms Psoriatic arthritis symptoms vary from person to person. They tend to develop in episodes, known as flares, in which symptoms suddenly appear and just as suddenly resolve. Unlike psoriasis, in which the immune system directly attack skin cells, psoriatic arthritis is caused almost entirely by inflammation. Common symptoms include: Pain and swelling in one or more joints, typically the wrists, knees, ankles, fingers, toes, and lower back Swelling of the fingers and toes, known as dactylitis, resulting in a thick, sausage-like appearance Morning stiffness that lasts for over an hour Silvery-white skin lesions (plaques) often on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower spine helivideo / Getty Images Pitting or lifting of the nails, also referred to as nail dystrophy Persistent fatigue, common with chronic inflammatory diseases Eye problems, including uveitis and conjunctivitis (pink eye) Racial Differences Symptoms and the impact of psoriatic arthritis may vary depending on your race, which is particularly important to remember as you evaluate what you're experiencing. On lighter skin, psoriasis looks like red scales. On darker skin, the discoloration is darker and thicker. The differences in appearance can make the condition difficult to diagnose. Two particular studies looking into racial differences in psoriatic arthritis also noted the following: White people were more likely to have PsA than South Asians, who were more likely to have it than Black people.Black people tended to have more severe skin involvement, psychological impact, and impaired quality of life than White people.Even so, White people were most likely to be on immunosuppressive drugs. Researchers called for the medical community to apply standards equally in order to eliminate racial disparities in treatment. How Psoriatic Arthritis Is Diagnosed By Subtype The changes in subtype also reflect the progressive nature of the disease. As certain joints sustain damage, often irreversible, the inflammatory response may simply broaden and affect other joints in the body. Inflammation can also occur where a tendon or ligament is inserted into the bone. This is called enthesitis, and it's more common in PsA than in most other forms of arthritis. Moreover, it is possible to have multiple subtypes or to develop other forms of arthritis, both autoimmune and non-autoimmune. Asymmetric Psoriatic Arthritis Psoriatic arthritis is asymmetric when a joint is affected on only one side of the body. Asymmetric psoriatic arthritis tends to be milder than other forms of the disease and is often the first type experienced. According to a 2013 review in the Polish Journal of Radiology, asymmetric psoriatic arthritis accounts for roughly 70% of all cases. By definition, asymmetric psoriatic arthritis affects no more than five joints and will usually impact larger joints rather than smaller ones. Symmetric Psoriatic Arthritis Symmetric psoriatic arthritis is characterized by pain and swelling in the same joints on both sides of the body. Fingers and toes are typically affected, as well as larger joints of the hips and knees. Symmetrical psoriatic arthritis accounts for around 15% of all cases. It is often preceded by asymmetric disease but may develop symmetrically from the start. The symmetrical pattern is similar to that of rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that directly targets joint tissue. Up to 10% of patients with PsA can have a positive rheumatoid factor (RF) blood test. Anti-CCP is a more specific test for RA. There are five subtypes of psoriatic arthritis, each of which is characterized by its location and severity. Distal Interphalangeal Predominant (DIP) Psoriatic Arthritis Distal interphalangeal predominant (DIP) psoriatic arthritis may sound complicated, but it simply means that the distal (near the nail) joints of the phalanges (fingers or toes) are affected. This type of psoriatic arthritis is characterized by pain and stiffness near the tips of the fingers or toes. When viewed on an X-ray, the ends of the bone will often appear narrowed like a pencil tip, while the adjacent joint will have a compressed, cup-like appearance. Nail changes, including pitting, thickening, and lifting (onycholysis), are also common. Arthritis Mutilans Arthritis mutilans is an uncommon but severe form of psoriatic arthritis. It is characterized by a condition called enthesitis in which the tissues connecting tendons and ligaments to bone become inflamed. Arthritis mutilans is believed to affect around 5% of people with psoriatic arthritis. The aggressive nature of the disease can cause the breakdown of bone tissue, cartilage loss, and joint deformity. Severe cases may require surgery to either relieve joint compression (arthroscopic debridement) or fuse the joints to reduce pain (arthrodesis). Psoriatic Spondylitis Spondylitis refers to inflammation of the spinal column. Only around 5% of people with psoriatic arthritis will have spondylitis as their main symptom. Although the spine is less commonly affected by psoriatic arthritis than other joints, it is not uncommon to have stiffness in the neck, lower back, and pelvis (particularly the sacroiliac joint). Another common denominator is the genetic marker human leukocyte antigen B27 (HLA-B27), which is present in over half of the people with psoriatic spondylitis. Differentiating Psoriatic Arthritis From Other Joint Diseases When to See a Healthcare Provider As a general rule, you should suspect psoriatic arthritis if you have symptoms of psoriasis or a family history of autoimmune diseases. At the same time, it is not uncommon to have multiple autoimmune disorders given that the diseases often share the same genetic mutations. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to bringing the disease under control. Doing so can help slow disease progression, prevent joint damage, and improve your overall quality of life. If you develop symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, ask your healthcare provider for a referral to a joint specialist known as a rheumatologist. While many internists are capable of managing mild psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis is a far more complicated disease. It is not only more difficult to diagnose but often requires a combination of drugs, including disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) like methotrexate and newer-generation biologic drugs like Enbrel (etanercept) and Humira (adalimumab). dimid_86 / iStock / Getty Images Plus Frequently Asked Questions What are the signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis? Psoriatic arthritis can affect joints on one or both sides of the body, causing them to become painful, swollen, and warm to the touch. Psoriatic arthritis is suspected when arthritis affects the following body parts:Feet: Often resulting in Achilles tendinitis or plantar fasciitisToes and fingers: Causing dactylitis (sausage-like swelling) and joint deformityLower back: Causing spondylitis (affecting the spine) or sacroiliitis (affecting the pelvis)Nails: Causing hyperkeratosis (nail thickening), pitting, flaking, or detachment How quickly do symptoms of psoriatic arthritis occur? Psoriatic arthritis is an extension of the autoimmune disease psoriasis. The onset of symptoms generally occurs between the ages of 30 and 50 and will often start 10 years after symptoms of psoriasis first develop. With that said, psoriatic arthritis can sometimes develop first or be the sole condition. What are the symptoms of the five types of psoriatic arthritis? Psoriatic arthritis is classified by its location on the body, which can predict both its severity and progression of symptoms. The five subtypes are classified as:Symmetrical: Affecting multiple joints on both sides of the body, albeit with generally milder symptomsAsymmetrical: Affecting one side of the body, typically the feet or toes and sometimes the kneeDistal interphalangeal predominant: Affecting the joints closest to the nails as well as the nails themselvesSpondylitis: Affecting vertebra in the neck and lower backArthritis mutilans: The most severe form, often affecting the small joints of the hands and feet How do symptoms of psoriatic arthritis differ from rheumatoid arthritis? As an autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has many of the same features as psoriatic arthritis (PsA). However, RA is most often symmetrical, while PsA is more often asymmetrical. RA tends to involve more joints and can cause fatigue, weight loss, morning stiffness, and low-grade fever. PsA is more likely to cause dactylitis and nail psoriasis. What are the possible complications of psoriatic arthritis? The chronic inflammation associated with psoriatic arthritis can affect other organ systems over time, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease (particularly in overweight people) as well as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and mood disorders. What conditions mimic psoriatic arthritis? Psoriatic arthritis often requires an investigation by a rheumatologist to tell it apart from other conditions with similar features, including:Enteropathic arthritisGoutLupusOsteoarthritisReactive arthritisRheumatoid arthritis Causes and Risk Factors of Psoriatic Arthritis Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Dealing with chronic inflammation? An anti-inflammatory diet can help. Our free recipe guide shows you the best foods to fight inflammation. Get yours today! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 12 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Ogdie A, Weiss P. The epidemiology of psoriatic arthritis. Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2015;41(4):545-68. doi:10.1016/j.rdc.2015.07.001 Ciurtin C, Roussou E. Cross-sectional study assessing family members of psoriatic arthritis patients affected by the same disease: differences between Caucasian, South Asian and Afro-Caribbean populations living in the same geographic region. Int J Rheum Dis. 2013;16(4):418-424. doi:10.1111/1756-185X.12109 Kerr GS, Qaiyumi S, Richards J, et al. Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in African-American patients--the need to measure disease burden. Clin Rheumatol. 2015;34(10):1753-1759. doi:10.1007/s10067-014-2763-3 Arthritis Foundation. Enthesitis and PsA. 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