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Is Psoriatic Arthritis an Autoimmune Disorder?

Psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that produces rashes and joint inflammation. According to the American College of Rheumatology, up to 15 percent of people with psoriasis also have psoriatic arthritis.

  1. Symptoms

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, joint swelling and inflammation are the main symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. Most people develop this form of arthritis after psoriasis, but the joint inflammation can occur before the rash appears.

    Function

    • Scientists don't fully understand what triggers the immune system to turn against itself and develop psoriatic arthritis. Up to 40 percent of patients have a family member with psoriatic arthritis, so heredity is one factor, according to the American College of Rheumatology.

    Other Causes

    • According to Dr. Don Martin of John Hopkins, streptococcal infection, HIV and trauma can precede developing psoriatic arthritis.

    Treatment

    • Treatment for psoriatic arthritis includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), corticosteroid injections and surgery.

    Considerations

    • According to the American College of Rheumatology, prognoses tend to be poorer for people with certain factors, such as being female, having developed the disease before age 20 and having a strong family history of psoriasis.

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