Medscape Rheumatology News has posted an informative article regarding, "The Role of the Dermatologist in Identification and Treatment of the Early Stages of Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)." Here are some of the highlights including some similarities and differences to ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Much like AS, early diagnosis is crucial for PsA in order to begin treatment early and help prevent damage. Also like AS, however, it may be difficult to diagnose initially since other conditions, such as ankylosing spondylitis, have "clinical features may overlap."

The article goes on to state, "To further complicate matters, other rheumatologic conditions such as osteoarthritis, soft tissue rheumatism, septic arthritis, and true RA can coexist with psoriasis. In addition, psoriasis has been found to occur with higher frequency in patients with IBD and ankylosing spondylitis."

PsA has been associated with other symptoms/complications that are also common in AS. These include iritis and morning stiffness.

The TNF-a inhibitors (Enbrel, Remicade, Humira) are also used to treat both diseases, but one major difference is certain medications in PsA can help the arthritis component - such as swollen joints - but aggravate the psoriasis and vice versa. Click here for the lists contained in the article.

Another major difference is the disease onset. Although both conditions affect similar age groups, PsA usually begins 5-10 years after the initial onset of the psoriasis itself. The article states that as high as 39% of people with psoriasis may develop psoriatic arthritis. But, like AS, it is thought PsA is often under-diagnosed or misdiagnosed, it is hard to get accurate figures.

To read the full article on Medscape, click here.

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