Dr. Wojo. Healthy Living. Simplified.

Psoriatic arthritis was brought to very public attention with the announcement last week that PGA golfer Phil Mickelson was recently diagnosed with the autoimmune disease - a disease in which the body’s immune system attacks its own joints and tendons. This “attack” can cause redness, stiffness, warmth, inflammation and pain in the joints of your body. The pain may be limited to one or both sides of your body, cause pain in your fingertips, feet or spine, or may be a more debilitating version - destructive arthritis - that can result in severe pain, destroy bones and disable a person. Psoriatic arthritis may also lead to dactylitis - swelling of the fingers and toes.

Some people with psoriatic arthritis have psoriasis - an autoimmune inflammatory skin disease that results in scaly patches of skin on the scalp, ears, elbows, or buttocks. Like psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis can flare - causing greater discomfort - or go into remission. If someone suffers from both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, the flares of the skin condition can coincide with flares in the arthritic condition. In both cases, stress can exacerbate the condition.

Who’s at risk? Psoriatic arthritis affects both men and women equally. Those with psoriasis are more likely to develop psoriatic arthritis and genetics can play a role. The disease is also most likely to strike those between the ages of 30 and 50.

If you experience any of the above symptoms, see your doctor. Tests to determine your condition may include x-rays, a joint fluid test, a blood sed rate test and a blood rheumatoid factor test.

While no cure currently exists, psoriatic arthritis can, in most cases, be managed with medications that control inflammation. Medications used to treat the condition include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Advil, Motrin), corticosteroids, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (Azulfidine), immunosuppressant medications (Imuran, Neoral, Arava) or TNF-alpha inhibitors (Enbrel).

Risks associated with the psoriatic arthritis include diabetes and heart disease. There are also some risks associated with the medications used to treat the disease because the drugs - used to block tumor necrosis factor (TNF) - can put one at risk for infections.