Psoriatic arthritis is considered part of a family of chronic, long-term joint diseases called spondyloarthropathies. Although the various spondyloarthropathies have different symptoms and outcomes, there are some similarities that doctors look for. For example, spondyloarthropathies usually involve the attachments between the lower back and the pelvis. All spondyloarthropathies affect areas around the joints, such as at the knee or hip, where the ligaments and tendons attach to bones.
Long-Term Outlook
Since psoriatic arthritis takes on so many different forms, the outlook can vary from person to person. For example, if fewer joints are involved, it is more likely that the outlook will be favorable.
The prognosis is least favorable for the 5 percent of psoriatic arthritis patients who experience the crippling form of the disease known as psoriatic arthritis mutilans. Although this is the least common type of psoriatic arthritis, it is the most severe because it eventually results in widespread destruction of the joints in the fingers and toes. Destruction of the joints can cause the bones to fuse, which may leave the digits looking gnarled.
For most psoriatic arthritis patients, however, the outlook is more positive. Some consider psoriatic arthritis a minor annoyance that requires medication only at times when symptoms flare. Others need more therapy to help them manage the disease. In either event, armed with the correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment, patients can control their pain and live their lives with improved function and limited joint damage.
