Up to 30 percent of people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis, which causes pain, stiffness and swelling in and around the joints.
Psoriatic arthritis can develop at any time, but it most commonly appears between the ages of 30 and 50 and affects men at a higher rate than women. Genes, the immune system and environmental factors are all believed to play a role in the onset of the disease.
Early recognition, diagnosis and treatment of psoriatic arthritis are critical to relieve pain and inflammation and help prevent progressive joint damage.