Psoriasis can go beyond the skin, leading to psoriatic arthritis

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY) — Psoriasis is often associated with the skin, but doctors say the autoimmune disease can also affect the joints and lead to permanent damage if psoriatic arthritis is not treated early.

The condition has gained attention in recent years as celebrities such as Kim Kardashian have publicly discussed living with psoriasis.

Patient advocate Joni Kazantzis was diagnosed with psoriasis as a teenager.

“It’s a very physical cosmetic looking disease,” Kazantzis said.

Psoriasis can cause red, thick and scaly patches on the skin, often affecting areas such as the scalp, knees, elbows and fingernails. The condition can also cause itching and burning.

“It’s managing the plaques on my skin and on my scalp,” Kazantzis said.

As she got older, Kazantzis said her symptoms began affecting more than her skin.

“I was waking up in the morning with pain and stiffness and swelling in my joints, in my hands, and in my feet, and I wasn’t able to walk down the stairs, pour a cup of coffee,” she said.

Those symptoms eventually led to a diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis.

Kazantzis said the condition began interfering with everyday activities, including spending time with her two children.

“My younger daughter was 4, and I needed to pick her up, and I wanted to pick her up, and be able to dance in the living room, and run around with them outside,” she said.

Rheumatologist Dr. Angela Crowley said as many as 30% of people with psoriasis may eventually develop psoriatic arthritis.

“Up to 30% of patients with psoriasis may ultimately develop psoriatic arthritis,” Crowley said. “There is a genetic component, we really don’t know what causes it.”

Crowley said several treatment options are available depending on the severity of the disease.

“It can start with topical medicines, but once it advances to the joints and if it gets severe, then we want to look at biologic medications,” Crowley said.

One biologic medication used to treat psoriatic arthritis is Tremfya, also known as guselkumab.

Crowley said recognizing symptoms and seeking treatment early is important because psoriatic arthritis can cause permanent joint damage.

“It’s important that they get this treated because it can lead to permanent joint damage as early as 6 months,” Crowley said.

For Kazantzis, finding a treatment that worked allowed her to continue doing the things she enjoys with her family.

“It was really important to me to find something to treat my psoriatic diseases so I could maintain that active lifestyle,” Kazantzis said.

For more information on this genetic disease, visit the Tremfya website.