Tuesday 14 March 2023

Signs psoriatic arthritis treatment isn’t working: What to know


Many psoriatic arthritis (PsA) treatments are available to help control the disease. If any treatment stops working, it is important to speak with a doctor.

When treating PsA, a doctor will try to alleviate the person’s symptoms and prevent the progression of the disease.

Not all treatments work well for everyone, and a person may need to try several combinations of therapies to find the one that works best.

In this article, learn how to recognize when PsA treatments are not working as expected.

PsA is a progressive, inflammatory type of arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation say that up to about 30% of people with psoriasis develop PsA. A 2019 review of studies, however, reports this prevalence to be about 20%Trusted Source.

Common symptoms of PsA include:

  • pain, tenderness, warmth, and swelling in the fingers, wrists, ankles, knees, and toes
  • inflammation and swelling where tendons and ligaments meet bones, particularly in the feet, especially in the heels
  • an overwhelming sense of fatigue
  • itchy, scaly patches of skin, often on major joints such as the elbows
  • pitting and cracking of the nails, which may lift away from the nail beds

If a person with PsA does not receive treatment, the symptoms can worsen and the underlying inflammation may damage the body over time. Some health issues related to untreated or not well-controlled PsA include:

  • damage to joints, bones, and cartilage
  • weakened bones that may break more easily
  • eye issues, ranging from redness and irritation to vision loss
  • gastrointestinal (GI) issues, such as diarrhea and bloating
  • lung problems, such as shortness of breath and coughing
  • damage to blood vessels and the heart
  • metabolic syndrome, which includes hypertension, elevated blood glucose levels, excess body fat at the waist, and abnormal cholesterol levels

Doctors develop treatment plans for people with PsA to help reduce the severity of symptoms, prevent the disease from getting worse, decrease the risk of related health conditions, and improve the quality of life.

New or worsening symptoms

An increase in the length or frequency of flares

Symptoms that affect the quality of life

Side effects of treatments

The return of once well-controlled symptoms

PsA treatment should help relieve symptoms, prevent the disease from progressing, and improve the quality of life. The best approach varies from person to person and depends, in part, on the severity of the condition.

In order to have the best possible control over their PsA symptoms, a person needs to work with their doctor, who will update the treatment plan as needed over time.

Source - Medical News Today


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