Title:Psoriatic Arthritis – Review of the Immunologic, Clinic and Therapeutic Aspects of an Inflammatory Systemic Disease
Volume: 8
Issue: 1
Author(s): Yolanda Farhey
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Psoriatic arthritis, enthesitis, spondylarthropathy, tumor necrosis alpha, synovitis, biologic treatment
Abstract: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory arthritis associated with psoriasis. It may affect the peripheral
joints, the spine and the entheses. Over the past several decades it revealed itself as a systemic disease as severe as
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) though it is most of the times seronegative for rheumatoid factor. PsA causes impressive
inflammation, deformities and joint damage leading to impaired quality of life and function. It is associated with increased
morbidity and mortality risk. We have better insight into the inflammatory and immunologic mechanism involved in this
condition, the inflammatory cells, cytokines, adhesion molecules which helped finding the targets for treatment. Over a
decade ago with the discovery of the anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) inhibitors we finally found the treatment to
reduce the progression of joint damage. Starting this treatment early in the course of disease prevents the joint damage,
improves the functional capacity and the survival of the patients with PsA. The biologic medications are effective in
reducing dactylitis and enthesitis which are rarely improved by conventional treatments.
