What is Psoriatic Arthritis?

Featuring Dr. Kam Shojania, MD, FRCPC

Duration: 58 seconds

Psoriatic arthritis, like its name suggests, is a type of arthritis seen in people who have psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a skin condition where there is red inflamed skin with scale on top of it typically in the scalp, the front of the knees, the elbows, around the bellybutton or in other places of the body.

Now, most people with psoriasis don't get the arthritis associated with it, but when they do, we call it psoriatic arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis is similar to rheumatoid arthritis in that it causes inflammation of the joints, and it needs to be treated on an urgent basis because we can prevent the joint damage of psoriatic arthritis if caught early.

So if you have questions about psoriatic arthritis or psoriasis, or you think you have it please contact your healthcare professional.

Presenter: Dr. Kam Shojania, Rheumatologist, Vancouver, BC

Local Practitioners: Rheumatologist