Psoriatic Arthritis

Overview

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory arthritis that develops in some people with psoriasis. It can affect the joints, the places where tendons attach to bone, and the spine. Without treatment, it can cause lasting joint damage.

Common Signs and Symptoms

• Painful, swollen joints, often in the fingers or toes
• Whole fingers or toes that swell (dactylitis)
• Heel or sole-of-the-foot pain
• Morning stiffness
• Nail pitting or nails lifting from the nail bed
• Low back pain
• Fatigue
• Red, painful eyes

When to Contact a Provider

If you have psoriasis and notice joint pain or swelling, ask about seeing a rheumatologist. Early treatment may help limit joint damage.

How Treatment May Help

Anti-inflammatory medicines and conventional DMARDs are often used first. A rheumatologist may then prescribe a biologic that targets TNF, IL-17, IL-23, IL-12/23 or T-cell activation. These medicines may help reduce joint pain, swelling and skin symptoms and slow joint damage.

Therapies That May Be Available at Infuse Care

• Remicade, Avsola, Inflectra and Renflexis (infliximab products): IV infusion
• Simponi Aria (golimumab): IV infusion
• Cosentyx (secukinumab): IV infusion or injection under the skin
• Orencia (abatacept): IV infusion or injection under the skin
• Stelara (ustekinumab), Skyrizi (risankizumab) and Tremfya (guselkumab): injection under the skin
• Cimzia (certolizumab pegol): injection under the skin

Safety and Monitoring

Biologic medicines can raise the risk of infections, so your provider will usually screen for tuberculosis and hepatitis B before you start and review your vaccines. Infusion or injection reactions can occur, and our nurses monitor you during and after each treatment.

IL-17 blockers such as Cosentyx may worsen inflammatory bowel disease in some people.

Your prescribing provider decides which treatment is right for you. Infuse Care administers prescribed therapies after a referral, a clinical review and any required insurance authorization, and we keep your provider's office updated on your care.