Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic, inflammatory condition affecting the joints and tendons. It most commonly occurs in people with existing psoriasis, although arthritis symptoms can sometimes develop before skin involvement.

An estimated 30% of people with psoriasis develop PsA, most often between 30 and 50 years. Symptoms of PsA include:

  • joint pain or swelling
  • fatigue
  • pain or swelling of the entheses, the sites where tendons and ligaments attach to the bones
  • stiffness or reduced range of motion
  • nail changes

The progression from psoriasis to PsA is variable. In some people, symptoms of PsA may start within as little as 2 years, whereas others may not develop symptoms for 8–12 years after the onset of psoriasis. However, In most cases, progression is characterized by a series of inflammatory changes in the joints that can begin well before symptoms start.

Treatment can help reduce inflammation and limit symptoms. With psoriatic arthritis, some people experience joint symptoms before skin symptoms.

Use the infographic below to explore the changes in the joints and entheses that characterize the progression from psoriasis to PsA.