Psoriatic Arthritis: an update on classification, clinical feature and therapies (original) (raw)

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease characterized by joint inflammation and cutaneous psoriasis. With advances in knowledge of genetics, immunohistology and pathogenesis, PsA is now recognized as a distinct disease entity. Unique clinical features include distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) involvement, dactylitis, enthesitis, axial involvement, specific radiographic features, and specific skin and nail changes. PsA affects young adults and is progressive and destructive, causing deformities, impaired physical function, reduced quality of life and lost of productivity. We now focus on more aggressive treatment in patients with progressive disease. With both conventional disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and emerging biological agents, the outlook for patients with PsA has improved.