How to manage joint pain effectively in psoriasis?

Question

Hello doctor,

My 40-year-old brother has been struggling with severe psoriasis for 8 years. His symptoms started with flaky skin on his scalp, which he initially thought was dandruff, but it progressed to thick plaques on his arms, neck, and back. Recently, he noticed painful swelling in his knees and ankles, making walking difficult. He was using topical steroids and coal tar preparations, but they seem ineffective now. He is also on Sertraline for anxiety, and I am worried it might be contributing to his condition. Should we consider alternatives like Cyclosporine or is there a better option to manage his symptoms and joint pain?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

As per the symptoms you have mentioned there is a possibility that this is psoriatic arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis (PA) is a form of arthritis affecting some people with psoriasis, a disease that causes red patches of skin topped with silvery scales. Most people develop psoriasis years before being diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. But for some, the joint problems begin before skin patches appear or at the same time.

Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling are the main signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. They can affect any part of the body, including your fingertips and spine, and can range from relatively mild to severe. In both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, disease flares can alternate with periods of remission.

There is no cure for psoriatic arthritis. Treatment is aimed at controlling symptoms and preventing joint damage. Without treatment, psoriatic arthritis can be disabling. Biologics are available; they can be helpful if no conventional methods help.

I hope this helps.

Kindly follow up if you have more concerns.

Thank you.