Review
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World J Orthop. Sep 18, 2014; 5(4): 537-543
Published online Sep 18, 2014. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v5.i4.537
Psoriatic arthritis: Epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment
Jung-Tai Liu, Horng-Ming Yeh, Shyun-Yeu Liu, Kow-Tong Chen
Jung-Tai Liu, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Liouying, Tainan 736, Taiwan
Horng-Ming Yeh, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tainan Municipal Hospital, Tainan 701, Taiwan
Shyun-Yeu Liu, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan 710, Taiwan
Kow-Tong Chen, Department of Occupational Medicine, Tainan Municipal Hospital, Tainan 701, Taiwan
Kow-Tong Chen, Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
Author contributions: Liu JT was contribution to conception, design, and drafting the article; Yeh HM was contribution to conception and design of this article; Liu SY was contribution to design of this article; Chen KT was contribution of conception, design, revising, supervision, and final approval of version of this article.
Correspondence to: Kow-Tong Chen, MD, PhD, Department of Occupational Medicine, Tainan Municipal Hospital, No. 670, Chongde Road, East District, Tainan 701, Taiwan. kowton@ms81.hinet.net
Telephone: +886-6-2609926 Fax: +886-6-2606351
Received: December 24, 2013
Revised: January 24, 2014
Accepted: June 18, 2014
Published online: September 18, 2014
Abstract

Our understanding of psoriatic arthritis has evolved as new knowledge of the disease has emerged. However, the exact prevalence of psoriatic arthritis is unknown, and its pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated. Genetic, environmental, and immunologic factors have all been implicated in disease development. Early diagnosis and treatment have become primary objectives in clinical rheumatology. Psoriatic arthritis not only causes functional impairment, but also increases mortality risk of patients. The advent of new therapeutic agents capable of arresting the progression of joint damage is expected. However, early psoriatic arthritis assessment remains limited. The objectives of this article are to outline the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of psoriatic arthritis and to suggest a paradigm for identifying early psoriatic arthritis patients.

Keywords: Arthritis, Psoriasis, Psoriatic arthritis, Spondyloarthritis

Core tip: Psoriatic arthritis, usually seronegative for rheumatoid factor, involves the inflammation of synovial tissue, entheses, skin. Clinical manifestation of psoriatic arthritis varies and is under-diagnosed in psoriasis patients. This article presented the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of psoriatic arthritis and to suggest a paradigm for use in standard clinical practice.