PsA
Basics

What is Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)?

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Psoriatic arthritis (sometimes called PsA) is a condition that causes painful inflammation, swelling and stiffness of the joints in your body.

Although it’s a relatively uncommon disease, it’s more common in people who already have psoriasis, a skin condition that causes a scaly red rash. Up to 2 in 5 people with psoriasis may develop PsA.

What causes PsA?

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PsA is caused when your body’s own immune system doesn’t respond in the right way and mistakenly attacks the healthy cells in your body, causing inflammation in the joints and skin.

No one knows exactly what causes it, but doctors believe a combination of genetic and environmental factors are involved.

What are the symptoms of PsA

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PsA affects different patients in different ways. Your doctor will tailor the treatment approach they recommend to your particular symptoms.

What's a flare?

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One of the key characteristics of PsA is that symptoms may come and go - there are periods where your symptoms are mild or disappear. When they return or get worse, it's called a 'flare'.

A flare is essentially a worsening of symptoms which might heighten the impact on your everyday life and leave you feeling frustrated. Around a third of people interviewed in a recent study reported themselves as currently having a flare.

Every person is unique, so the severity and frequency of your flares might be different to how other people experience their symptoms.

Take the questionnaire >>

Recording the impact of your PsA

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We've created this simple tool to help you talk with your healthcare team about how your PsA is affecting you in your daily life and how this may be changing over time.

Fill in the questionnaire

Make a note of any other aspects of your PsA that might be compromising your everyday life

Talk through your answers to the questionnaire the next time you see your healthcare professional

Take the questionnaire >>