psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory disease that affects the joints. the presence of inflammatory arthritis with a history of psoriasis makes the psoriatic arthritis diagnosis more likely. because this form of arthritis can cause deformity and crippling just like rheumatoid arthritis it is important to have an accurate psoriatic arthritis diagnosis and treat the disease early and effectively. psoriatic arthritis usually strikes around age 30 to 50 equally affecting both men and women but it may also start in childhood. the skin disease precedes the arthritis in nearly 80% of patients. psoriatic arthritis may precede psoriasis in up to 15% of patients. some people may have both at the same time.
what is psoriatic arthritis and when does it begin?