Table of Contents
Is psoriatic arthritis hard to diagnose?
No single thing will diagnose psoriatic arthritis, but blood tests, imaging, and other tests can help your doctor. They may want to give you certain tests that check for rheumatoid arthritis, because it can look a lot like psoriatic arthritis.
How is psoriatic spondylitis diagnosed?
A diagnosis of psoriatic spondylitis starts with a physical examination and a review of your medical history. The doctor may request X-rays or an MRI of the spine. X-rays generally look for abnormalities of the spine and sacroiliac joints. An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) can offer a closer look at the joints.
Is ankylosing spondylitis related to psoriasis?
For one, people with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) (also known as axial spondyloarthritis) — which is best-known for causing chronic lower back pain — are also more likely to have psoriasis — an autoimmune disease that manifests in the form of scaly red and silvery skin patches.
What does psoriatic spondylitis feel like?
People with psoriatic spondylitis may experience pain, inflammation, and stiffness in their neck and lower back. It can also affect the sacroiliac joints in the pelvis. Over time, the condition may make it more difficult for a person to move their spine.
Can I live a normal life with psoriatic arthritis?
Psoriatic arthritis does not usually affect a person’s life expectancy and it is not life-threatening. However, it can increase the risk for other conditions (co-morbidities) that can, such as cardiovascular disease, fatty liver disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
What can ankylosing spondylitis be confused with?
Some of the symptoms or conditions that mimic ankylosing spondylitis include:
- Chronic Lower Back Pain.
- Reactive Arthritis.
- Fibromyalgia.
- Psoriatic Arthritis.
- Enteropathic Arthritis.
- DISH.
What happens if psoriatic arthritis goes untreated?
If left untreated, psoriatic arthritis (PsA) can cause permanent joint damage, which may be disabling. In addition to preventing irreversible joint damage, treating your PsA may also help reduce inflammation in your body that could lead to other diseases.
What are the signs and symptoms of psoriatic spondylitis?
Symptoms of psoriatic spondylitis may include: Back pain. Pain and swelling in other joints, including hips, knees, shoulders, ankles, feet, elbows, hands and wrists. Swelling of the toes and fingers, a condition called “sausage fingers”. Reduced range of motion and stiffness of the low back, spine, and pelvis. Osteoporosis. Chronic fatigue.
What are the signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis?
Psoriatic arthritis. In addition to inflamed, scaly skin, psoriatic arthritis causes swollen, painful joints that are typical of arthritis. Sometimes the joint symptoms are the first or only manifestation of psoriasis or at times only nail changes are seen. Symptoms range from mild to severe, and psoriatic arthritis can affect any joint.
When to see a doctor for psoriatic arthritis?
Changes in the peripheral joints and spine, which also occur in later stages of disease, can also support a PsA diagnosis. A diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis can be made more easily if there is active psoriasis, as well as swollen fingers or toes, when the patient is seen.
Can a person be misdiagnosed with psoriatic arthritis?
Diagnosing psoriatic arthritis (PsA) can be tricky, primarily because it shares similar symptoms with other diseases such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout. Because of this, misdiagnosis can often be a problem.