Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis: Living Without Limits

Sunday October 21, 2007

Psoriasis is a common chronic skin disorder characterized by skin rashes and irritation. Psoriatic arthritis is a form of arthritis associated with psoriasis. According to A.D.A.M., between 5.8 and 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis, and it affects between 2 - 3 percent of the world's population. Approximately 40 percent of patients report developing psoriasis before age 20, and 10 percent had the disease before age 10.

Approximately 15 percent of people with psoriasis eventually develop psoriatic arthritis. The symptoms of psoriasis and chronic joint inflammation often develop separately for psoriatic arthritis patients. In about 85 percent of psoriatic arthritis patients, symptoms of psoriasis develop before arthritis symptoms. Arthritis develops before psoriasis in up to 15 percent of psoriatic arthritis patients. Psoriasis and arthritis can develop months or years apart.

The difficulties faced by people living with the disease are often misunderstood. According to Heather Brannon, MD, About.com Guide to Skin & Beauty, "There is a common misperception that rashes are less serious than other medical conditions. Perhaps this is because few skin diseases are life threatening and therefore the impact on the person who has the rash is minimized. However, this view does not take into account the psychosocial impact of the disease experience. In the case of psoriasis, medical providers often underestimate the degree to which the disease affects the person's quality of life. The phrase "heartbreak of psoriasis" was not created in a vacuum. It is an accurate description of the life of many people with psoriasis."

About.com Health is pleased to announce a new special section -- Psoriasis: Living Without Limits -- providing information on psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, including primers on diagnosis, symptoms and treatment options, and tips for healthy living.

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_{Photos © A.D.A.M.; Ken Roberts (iStockphoto); Tina Lorien (iStockphoto)}