8 Uncommon Psoriatic Arthritis Complications You Might Not Know About

You should expect flare-ups of red, patchy skin, skin lesions, pain, swelling, and stiffness in your joints if you have psoriatic arthritis. People with the disorder, however, may develop other health issues as a result of the condition or its therapies. You can usually stop problems before they create damage if you catch them early enough. There are a few difficulties to be aware of.

1. Back and Neck Pain

According to studies, up to 40% of patients with psoriatic arthritis report back pain. Inflammation of the joints between the vertebrae, known as psoriatic spondylitis, or the joints between the spine and the pelvis, known as sacroiliitis, causes pain. Only one side of the body may be affected. While sacroiliitis affects the lower back and causes pain and stiffness, spondylitis affects the lower and upper back as well as the neck.

2. Eye Pain and Vision Problems

According to the Arthritis Foundation, roughly 7% of persons with psoriatic arthritis have inflammation of the uvea, the main layer of the eye. Pain, floaters, and blurring are all symptoms of uveitis, which can develop into cataracts, visual loss, glaucoma, and a detached retina. To acquire a proper diagnosis, you should see an ophthalmologist. Corticosteroids, disease-modifying antirheumatic medications (DMARDs), and biologics can help alleviate the condition before it worsens.

3. Arthritis Mutilans

According to the Arthritis Foundation, about 5% of persons with psoriatic arthritis might develop arthritis mutilans, a severe form of illness that affects the joints of the hands and feet. The joints in the feet and hands begin to deteriorate and shrink, and the skin tissue surrounding the joints compresses, causing lasting injury. The good news is that treatment with biologics can prevent this harm, according to research.

4. Infections

Complications from immunosuppressive medications can occur in any kind of inflammatory arthritis that we treat with immunosuppressive agents, especially with the newer biologic therapies. One of them is infection. Viral infections and antibiotic-resistant infections are more common in patients with psoriatic arthritis than in healthy people.

5. Cardiovascular Problems

Data revealed that those with psoriatic arthritis are more prone to cardiovascular issues such as high blood pressure and heart attacks. Hypertension and angina (chest discomfort caused by a lack of blood flow) are about twice as common in patients as they are in the general population, and psoriatic arthritis sufferers have a roughly three-fold increased risk of a heart attack. TNF inhibitors, a type of biological medication, can reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events, according to studies.

6. Anxiety and Depression

According to a study, one in every five individuals with psoriatic arthritis suffers from mood disorders, a prevalence that is much greater than that of patients with psoriasis without arthritis (9 percent) and the general population. The high frequency could be explained by chronic discomfort and concerns about having noticeable skin disorders. Inquire with your doctor about available therapies, which may include antidepressants, counseling, and exercise.

7. Diabetes

People with psoriatic arthritis are more likely than those without the condition to develop type 2 diabetes, placing them at risk for nerve pain caused by neuropathy, heart disease, vision loss, and kidney disease, if their blood sugar levels aren't controlled. One explanation is that corticosteroid therapy can make you more prone to diabetes.

8. Neurological Conditions

In psoriatic arthritis patients, the prevalence of neurologic disorders such as neuropathy (weakness, numbness, and discomfort, especially in the hands and feet) and seizures was around 9%, which was much greater than in persons with psoriasis without arthritis. According to research, this could be due to diabetes-related peripheral neuropathy or carpal tunnel syndrome, which is caused by inflammation and swelling in the wrist joints.