Which type of arthritis afflicts people with psoriasis?

Which type of arthritis afflicts people with psoriasis?

• A. Fibromyalgia
• B. Psoriatic arthritis
• C. Rheumatoid arthritis
• D. Gout

Answer: (B)

When psoriasis is present, the arthritis most often linked to it is inflammatory arthritis that specifically accompanies skin psoriasis. This form, called psoriatic arthritis, involves joint inflammation that can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness and may affect any joint or even the spine. You might see dactylitis (sausage-like fingers) or nail changes such as pitting, which help tie the joint disease to the skin condition.

Fibromyalgia involves widespread pain without the inflammatory joint changes seen in psoriatic arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune inflammatory arthritis that typically presents with symmetric joint involvement and specific serologic findings, not tied to psoriasis. Gout is crystal-driven arthritis with sudden, intense monoarticular attacks, usually not associated with psoriasis.