No, there are not just a couple of garden variety types of arthritis out there. In fact currently, there over well over one hundred different kinds of arthritis. Shocking isn't it? Over 100 different types of arthritis make it one very aggressive disease that invades the lives of millions.

One of those little known types of arthritis is known as psoriatic arthritis and it can be as debilitating as some of the more well known varieties of arthritis. So exactly what is psoriatic arthritis and just how does this variety present itself?

As its name indicates, psoriatic arthritis is associated with psoriasis, the common skin condition characterized by inflammation of the skin, scaling, and red raised patches of skin. It is estimated that psoriasis affects approximately 2 per cent of the Caucasian population in the United States, although it can occur in people from all backgrounds.

When you have psoriasis, this skin condition attacks the skin of the knees, the elbows, the scalp and the face. It can even be seen in the navel! One of the most distressing areas that you may find psoriasis in in the genital and anal area. There is a small portion of those who suffer with psoriasis who also develop inflammation in the impacted joints. It is this small population of sufferers who are then identified as being diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis.

Obviously, one of the major risk factors for developing psoriatic arthritis is the presence of the skin disorder, particularly if it affects the joints. Psoriatic arthritis usually strikes later in life, with most diagnosed cases occurring in the fourth or fifth decades of the patient's life. It appears that gender is not a risk factor, since men and women are affected equally.

While it can vary, the onset of this condition typically follows a predictable pattern. Nearly 80% of those patients battling psoriatic arthritis were diagnosed with the skin condition, psoriasis, prior to being diagnosed with this particular type of arthritis.

However, some patients develop arthritis before the onset of psoriasis. Roughly 15 per cent of psoriatic arthritis patients report the presence of arthritic symptoms before developing psoriasis. In fact, many patients report living with psoriasis for many years before developing any signs of arthritis.

Psoriatic arthritis is a systematic disease just like other forms of arthritis. With any systemic disease, other areas of the body can be attacked as well. So this simply means that you best be on the look out for problems with other body parts. For example, psoriatic arthritis patients can also be at risk for other problems with the kidneys and lungs. Patients may also experience problems with the heart, the eyes and the mouth. Systemic ... affecting other areas as well. The whole body is at risk.

In severe forms of the disease, other vital organs may also be affected. Like other forms of arthritis (especially reactive arthritis and spondylitis), psoriatic arthritis patients are more prone to experiencing inflammation in the spine.

So, here's the million dollar question. Just what causes psoriatic arthritis? Want the million dollar answer? Ok, here it is, we don't really know the cause of psoriatic arthritis. While there are many scholarly theories out there that attempt to explain the basis of psoriatic arthritis, the precise cause remains a mystery. Current research seems to point to many factors which can contribute to the development of psoriatic arthritis. One such factor is environmental, another is a flaky immune system and finally a genetic marker, known as HLA-B27. This particular genetic marker is found in many psoriatic arthritis patients, but it is not always the case and so don't count on it.

There are even other genetic markers that are found in cases of psoriatic arthritis which continue to lead to researchers to believe that this condition is genetic in nature. Lab tests can help to confirm these genetic markers if they are present. Some research also indicates that a faulty immune system may also be a causative factor in the case of psoriatic arthritis. Other research shows that environmental factors may be to blame. Any way you slice it, the reasons can vary behind the development of psoriatic arthritis.

Psoriatic arthritis is not something to be taken lightly. It is a serious health condition and must be managed as such. Partnering with your health care provider can produce the best result in managing this disease.
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