Are plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis related?
Your skin and joints may have much more in common than you think. The same inflammation that causes skin plaques from psoriasis can produce joint pain, stiffness, and other symptoms of psoriatic arthritis.
THE PLAQUE PSORIASIS AND PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS CONNECTION
Watch this video to learn more about how both conditions could be connected.
What are the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis?
- Skin plaques and nail changes†: thick, red skin with flaky, silvery patches. Nail changes like separation from nail bed, pitting, or the appearance of a fungal infection
- Joint pain and reduced range of motion: pain and swelling commonly felt in hands, feet, and joints
- Tenderness in and around joints (enthesitis): pain or tenderness where tendons and ligaments attach to bones
- Sausage-like fingers or toes (dactylitis): swelling along the entire length of finger(s) and toe(s)
- Joint damage: if left untreated, psoriatic arthritis may cause permanent joint damage
- Back pain (axial psoriatic arthritis), fatigue, and stiffness
About 85% of people with psoriatic arthritis experience plaque psoriasis symptoms first.
†Occurs in people who also have plaque psoriasis.
Take this quiz to find out if there’s more to your psoriasis

If you answered YES to 3 or more questions, make sure to print or e-mail your answers and bring them to your next appointment.



Are you at risk for psoriatic arthritis?
Diagnosing psoriatic arthritis can be challenging because many of the symptoms are similar to those of other conditions. It can take many years for psoriatic arthritis to appear, so it's important to be aware of the connection to psoriasis.
46% of people with severe psoriasis reported developing psoriatic arthritis.
People with psoriasis who have nail disease are almost 3x more likely to develop psoriatic arthritis than those who don't.
People with psoriasis who have scalp lesions are almost 4x more likely to develop psoriatic arthritis than those who don't.
What are some of the other risk factors for psoriatic arthritis aside from plaque psoriasis itself?
- The severity of the plaque psoriasis—people with moderate to severe psoriasis carry a greater risk
- Plaque psoriasis diagnosis at an earlier age
- Having 3 or more sites on the body that are affected by plaque psoriasis
- People with psoriasis who have lesions in their inner buttocks area are 2x more likely to develop psoriatic arthritis than those who don’t
- 3 or more visits to a dermatologist per year
- Other skin and joint conditions
Is family history a risk factor for psoriatic arthritis?
Family history can be a risk factor for psoriatic arthritis. If any of your close relatives have plaque psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, you could have a greater chance of getting either or both conditions.
40% of people with psoriatic arthritis have at least one close relative with psoriatic arthritis or psoriasis.
Real people have found real relief from both conditions with COSENTYX®.
See how COSENTYX works to relieve symptoms of plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
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