eMedicine Specialties > Dermatology > Papulosquamous Diseases

Psoriatic Arthritis: Follow-up

Author: Karolyn A Wanat, MD, Resident Physician, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Coauthor(s): Michael J Dans, MD, PhD, Clinical Instructor, Department of Dermatology, University of California at San Francisco; Abby S Van Voorhees, MD, Assistant Professor, Director of Psoriasis Services and Phototherapy Units, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Oct 30, 2009

Follow-up

Deterrence/Prevention

Medications to avoid when possible include beta-blockers, antimalarials (although hydroxychloroquine has been shown to not exacerbate skin lesions), lithium, systemic steroids, and NSAIDs (If skin lesions worsen with an NSAID, switch to a different family of NSAID.).

Prevention includes rest and exercise. Joint protection, including splints, braces, and other supports, may be helpful. No definitive prevention exists because this is a chronic disease that can wax and wane.

Complications

Spondylitis resulting in atlantoaxial subluxation with resultant neurologic complications can occur. Therapy may limit possible disability.

Prognosis

Psoriatic arthritis is often mild, with involvement of only a few joints. Treatments with immunomodulatory medicine can be successful for patients with severe disease.

Patient Education

For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Psoriasis Center and Arthritis Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient education articles Psoriatic Arthritis, Psoriasis, Types of Psoriasis, Understanding Psoriasis Medications, and Nail Psoriasis.

Excellent information for patients can be found at the following Web sites:

 


More on Psoriatic Arthritis

Overview: Psoriatic Arthritis
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Psoriatic Arthritis
Treatment & Medication: Psoriatic Arthritis
Follow-up: Psoriatic Arthritis
Multimedia: Psoriatic Arthritis
References
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

psoriatic arthritis, psoriasis, seronegative spondyloarthropathy, polyarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, oligoarthritis, chronic inflammatory arthritis, asymmetric oligoarthritis, asymmetrical oligoarthritis, symmetric oligoarthritis, symmetrical oligoarthritis, arthritis mutilans, spondylitis, DIP psoriatic arthritis, distal interphalangeal joint arthritis, juvenile psoriatic arthritis, psoriatic nail lesions

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Karolyn A Wanat, MD, Resident Physician, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Karolyn A Wanat, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, and American Medical Women's Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Michael J Dans, MD, PhD, Clinical Instructor, Department of Dermatology, University of California at San Francisco
Michael J Dans, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and American Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Abby S Van Voorhees, MD, Assistant Professor, Director of Psoriasis Services and Phototherapy Units, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Abby S Van Voorhees, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, National Psoriasis Foundation, Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Xi, and Women's Dermatologic Society
Disclosure: Amgen Honoraria Consulting; Abbott Honoraria Consulting; Genentech Honoraria Consulting; Incyte Grant/research funds Other; Warner Chilcott Honoraria Consulting; Merck Salary Management position; Abbott  Speaking and teaching

Medical Editor

Alexa F Boer Kimball, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Dermatology, Harvard University School of Medicine; Vice Chair, Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital; Director of Clinical Unit for Research Trials in Skin (CURTIS), Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital
Alexa F Boer Kimball, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, and Society for Investigative Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

David F Butler, MD, Professor of Dermatology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine; Chair, Department of Dermatology, Director, Dermatology Residency Training Program, Scott and White Clinic, Northside Clinic
David F Butler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for MOHS Surgery, Association of Military Dermatologists, and Phi Beta Kappa
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Christen M Mowad, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center
Christen M Mowad, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, and Phi Beta Kappa
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Joel M Gelfand, MD, MSCE, Medical Director, Clinical Studies Unit, Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Associate Scholar, Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania
Joel M Gelfand, MD, MSCE is a member of the following medical societies: Society for Investigative Dermatology
Disclosure: AMGEN Consulting fee Consulting; AMGEN Grant/research funds None; Genentech Consulting fee Consulting; Centocor Consulting fee Consulting; Centocor Grant/research funds None; Covance Consulting fee Consulting; Shire  Consulting

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD, Director, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center
Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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