Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a condition that combines the swollen, sore joints of arthritis with psoriasis. Psoriasis typically causes itchy, scaly red patches to appear on the skin and scalp. About 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis, and up to 30 percent of these people develop PsA. PsA can be mild or severe and involve one or many joints. If you or a loved one has received a diagnosis of PsA, you may have questions about what life is like with this condition. This type affects the same joints on both sides of your body, so both your left and right knees, for example. Symptoms can be like those of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Symmetric PsA tends to be milder and cause less joint deformity than RA. However, symmetric PsA can be disabling. About half of people with PsA have this type. Asymmetric PsA This affects a joint or joints on one side of your body. Your joints may feel sore and turn red. Asymmetric PsA is generally mild. It affects about 35 percent of people with PsA. Distal interphalangeal predominant PsA This type involves the joints closest to your nails. These are known as the distal joints. It occurs in about 10 percent of people with PsA. Spondylitis PsA This type of PsA involves your spine. Your entire spine from your neck to your lower back may be affected. This can make movement very painful. Your hands, feet, legs, arms, and hips may also be affected. Psoriatic arthritis mutilans This is a severe, deforming type of PsA. About 5 percent of people with PsA have this type. Psoriatic arthritis mutilans usually affects your hands and feet. It can also cause pain in your neck and lower back. What are the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis? Symptoms of PsA are different for each person. They can be mild to severe. Sometimes your condition will go into remission and you’ll feel better for a while. Other times your symptoms may get worse. Your symptoms also depend on the type of PsA you have.