Arthritis and Joint Replacement

Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory arthritis associated with psoriasis, a chronic skin and nail disease that causes a scaly, itchy skin rash as well as pitting, or indentations, on the finger and toe nails. Psoriatic arthritis causes pain and swelling in joints, especially in the fingers and toes. People with psoriatic arthritis may experience either the skin or joint symptoms first, or both symptoms may occur simultaneously.

Psoriatic arthritis affects at least 10 percent of the three million people with psoriasis in the United States. It affects men and women equally and usually begins between 30 to 50 years of age, but also can occur in childhood.

At UCSF Medical Center experts diagnose and treat patients with psoriatic arthritis. The exact cause of psoriatic arthritis is unknown. However, genetic and environmental factors may play a role in the development of this disease.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated August 29, 2007