Plaque Psoriasis (Ps) and Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)

Did you know Ps and PsA are related?

1 in 3 people with Ps may also develop PsA.

Plaque psoriasis may appear as red itchy patches on the skin, and PsA may present as pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints. 

A majority of people with PsA develop skin symptoms before joint symptoms. However, joint pain can begin before skin patches appear in some patients with PsA. In other cases, you can have PsA even if you don’t have Ps.

What is the difference between Ps and PsA?

Ps and PsA are connected, but they are not the same.

Both are chronic and a result of excess inflammation, but they manifest in different ways. Ps is characterized by inflammation that affects the skin with symptoms like itching, rashes, and skin plaques. Ps can also manifest on any part of your body.

PsA is characterized by inflammation that affects the joints like swelling, pain, and stiffness. About 30% of psoriasis patients develop PsA.

Talk to your doctor about your skin and joint symptoms as they may be a sign of PsA.