HealthCert Blog

Patient education about the importance of controlling inflammation is vital to effectively managing psoriatic arthritis, according to a review published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The review discusses the epidemiological and clinical features, pathophysical characteristics, and available pharmacotherapies for psoriatic arthritis.

Psoriatic arthritis occurs in up to 30 percent of people with psoriasis and can have serious debilitating effects on the peripheral joints, spine, tendon insertions, and fingers. Management has improved, but complete disease control is not yet achievable.

Around 40 percent of patients have elevated inflammation and this condition is highly heritable. There are very few effective drug treatments.

The review emphasises that patient education about the importance of controlling inflammation is critical. It also highlights the vital role of lifestyle modification, including smoking cessation, weight reduction, joint protection, physical activity, and exercise, as well as stress management, in the management of psoriatic arthritis.

Read more about recent psoriasis research.

Source:
Christopher T. Ritchlin, M.D., M.P.H., Robert A. Colbert, M.D., Ph.D., and Dafna D. Gladman, M.D. Psoriatic Arthritis. N Engl J Med 2017; 376:957-970 (March 9, 2017.) DOI: 10.1056/NEJMra1505557.

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