What is PsA?

Psoriatic arthritis [pronounced sorr-eye-at-ick arth-rye-tis], also called PsA, is a chronic, or ongoing, immune-mediated (caused by the immune system*) inflammatory disease that affects the joints.

In PsA, the body’s immune system attacks its own joints

In people with PsA, the immune system targeting its own joints causes pain, swelling, fatigue and stiffness in the joints, which may restrict your movement and make it difficult to do simple things. PsA can affect many joints in the body or only a few – it’s different for everyone and can change over time. People with PsA may also have skin psoriasis.
How psoriatic arthritis affects the body4

How psoriatic arthritis affects the body

About 80% of people with PsA also have skin psoriasis, but they don’t always develop at the same time

Neither PsA nor psoriasis (Pso) is contagious, but it can mean that you stand a greater risk of developing some other disease, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, inflammatory intestinal disease, auto-immune eye disease, fibromyalgia or depression.9

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* The immune system is a complex set of cells and molecules designed to defend the body against foreign substances including cancer cells, toxins and parasites. When the system turns towards body (so-called `self`) components, immune-mediated inflammatory diseases occur. Examples of these are rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and multiple sclerosis.10

CP-308711. May 2024

References

[1]
Harvard Health Publishing. Consider a virtual doctor visit. Available at: www.health.harvard.edu/blog/need-an-appointment-pronto-consider-a-virtual-doctors-visit-2016091610206 Accessed: June 2020.
[2]
The New York Times. Modern doctors’ house calls: Skype chat and fast diagnosis. Available at: www.nytimes.com/2015/07/12/health/modern-doctors-house-calls-skype-chat-and-fast-diagnosis.html Accessed: June 2020.
[3]
Hollander JE and Carr BG. NEJM 2020;382;18:1679-1681.
[4]
Smith AC, et al. J Telemed and Telecare 2020;0(0):1-5.
[5]
Healthline. The 6 best dermatology telemedicine sites. Available at: www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/dermatology-telemedicine-best-websites#1 Accessed: June 2020.
[6]
AmWell. Psoriasis treatment online. Available at: amwell.com/cm/conditions/psoriasis/ Accessed: June 2020.
[7]
Mechanic OJ, Kimball AB. Telehealth Systems. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020.
[8]
EUROPSO. Coronavirus COVID-19 concerns? Available at: www.euro-pso.org/coronavirus-covid-19-concerns/ Accessed: July 2020.
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Last updated March 10, 2025
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