Biologics are medicines made from living cells that target specific parts of the immune system to reduce psoriatic arthritis inflammation. Some options are given via intravenous (IV) influsion.

If you’re having trouble getting psoriatic arthritis (PsA) under control, it may be time to consider a biologic. “Biologics have been life-changing medications for people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis,” said Dr. Wu.

Read the full article at everydayhealth.com. 

According to research in Frontiers in Endocrinology, every time a woman experiences a major hormonal transition or fluctuation—in puberty, pregnancy (when applicable), and menopause—the immune system is affected. More specifically, there seems to be a link between these transitional states and the development of autoimmune diseases such as MS, lupus, RA, type 1 diabetes, and psoriasis, and possibly the progression, as well. 

This can ultimately lead to worsening of disease in some women. “Some studies have found that the menopausal transition may accelerate functional decline in women with rheumatoid arthritis,” said Dr. Siegel. The same is true for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, according to Italian research, which found that low levels of estrogen can also trigger or worsen skin symptoms in both illnesses.

Read the full article at healthcentral.com. 

However, the medication was less effective for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) flares, with some patients showing no response, and six of 21 participants discontinued treatment due to side effects. Despite these limitations, researchers note that apremilast remains a promising option because it is not immunosuppressive and unlikely to interfere with cancer therapy.

The study, published in Arthritis Care & Research, highlights the potential role of apremilast for managing ICI-related psoriatic symptoms while avoiding treatments that could compromise anti-cancer responses.

Read the full article at medpagetoday.com. 

Apps and wearables aren’t substitutes for seeing your doctor regularly, explained Dr. Fields. But by helping you track your needs and making it easier to notice symptom changes, they offer insight into when you should be coming in, and what to share during your visit. “That can improve care and make visits more effective,” Dr. Fields said. 

“Our orthopedic surgeons have been using electronic step-counters to follow their patients after joint surgery, and this can be helpful to see how psoriatic arthritis patients are getting around,” Dr. Fields noted.

Read the full article at healthcentral.com. 

Dr. Bridges explained that one of the most common misconceptions with rheumatic diseases is that patients with inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, should not exercise. But that could not be farther from the truth. “While it is true that patients should not perform exercises that may worsen their pain, there are many safe exercises for such patients, including water aerobics and low impact activities such as walking,” he said.

Additionally, appropriate lifestyle changes can make a huge difference for patients with rheumatic diseases. These include avoiding smoking, maintaining a healthy weight and eating a healthy diet.

“Evidence suggests that the Mediterranean diet, which has been shown to reduce cardiovascular disease, may have beneficial effects on rheumatic diseases,” Dr. Bridges said. For psoriatic arthritis specifically, it has been shown to decrease chronic inflammation that contributes to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer and other conditions.

Read the full article at theflowspace.com.

 That’s partly because the disease causes pain that can wake you up, says Melanie Smith, MD, PhD, rheumatologist at HSS.  And the longer you go without getting good sleep, the worse your quality of life may become, since a lack of good sleep may lead to more pain.

 “There’s a cycle people get into where they have pain, so they don’t sleep. And then they feel more pain, and they don’t sleep well,” says Dr. Smith. 

Read the full article at everydayhealth.com.

There is much to be discovered about the exact link between psoriatic disease and gluten, but research suggests a connection exists.

“The connection is not well understood, but both conditions exert their effects through the actions of inflammatory mediators,” says Susan M. Goodman, rheumatologist at  HSS. 

According to Dr. Goodman, there is a two-way relationship between both conditions. “There is an increase in other autoimmune diseases in patients with psoriatic arthritis,” she says. “Patients with celiac disease are more likely to get psoriasis, and patients with psoriatic arthritis are more likely to get celiac disease.” However, one condition doesn’t cause the other. “While some people with psoriatic arthritis report improvement in their symptoms if they eliminate gluten, there is no evidence that gluten can cause psoriatic arthritis,” Dr. Goodman added.

Read the full article at healthcentral.com. 

Dr. Wu noted that some newer medications are likely safe for use during pregnancy.  For instance, “we know that some medications, such as certain TNF blockers, are safe for both the mother and fetus during pregnancy,” she said.

Dr. Wu emphasizes that more research  on psoriatic arthritis is needed.  Doctors know more now than a decade ago about the relationship between pregnancy and psoriatic arthritis, but there is still much work to be done. “The safety of psoriatic arthritis medications during pregnancy is one place where we need more information—we need to know if biologics are safe for women during pregnancy and what the risks and benefits of stopping or continuing those medications,” Dr. D. Wu explained .

Read the full article at healthcentral.com. 

Joint pain, swelling, and stiffness are just a few ways psoriatic arthritis can do a number on your hands. Bone changes and loss of grip strength can result, making it important to manage these symptoms effectively.

There are different patterns of psoriatic arthritis and several of them involve the hands, said Dr. Ashany. For example, one form of psoriatic arthritis affects primarily the DIP joints, which are located just under the fingernails, she explained. “People with this form of psoriatic arthritis also often have psoriatic nail disease,” she continued.

Another form of psoriatic arthritis affects the PIP and MCP joints of the hands primarily, said Dr. Ashany. These are the joints in the middle of each finger as well as at the base of the fingers and can also involve the wrists and other parts of the body. Hands can also be affected by tendonitis, resulting from whole-body inflammation, sometimes referred to as dactylitis.

Read the full article at healthcentral.com. 

“Lack of sleep may contribute to psoriatic arthritis flares, but we need more research in this area,” said Dr. Smith, adding that the cause and effect may not be a straightforward relationship. “With sleep, maybe it’s not necessarily about being a trigger for psoriatic arthritis, but when we get less sleep, we feel more pain.”

“Another trigger can be changing or discontinuing medication,” explained Dr. Smith. That’s because a different mechanism of action might not work as well—or not work at all if you suddenly stop taking your medication. All of this can lead to worse symptoms, she said. 

Dr. Smith added that sometimes you will need to take the lead in shortening the time you are without treatment. “Sometimes it’s about making sure the doctor’s prior authorization is not running out anytime soon or if it is, letting the doctor know,” she explained. “I’m never upset about a patient advocating for themselves.”

Read the full article at healthcentral.com. 

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a type of inflammatory arthritis usually linked with psoriasis. The cause of PsA isn’t yet known, but researchers believe factors such as genetics, gut biodiversity, lifestyle factors (smoking), and the environment may all play a role.

Dr. Smith explained metabolic syndrome (excess abdominal weight, high triglycerides, low HLD, elevated blood sugar and high blood pressure) and cardiovascular disease are the most common complications of PsA that she sees in her practice.

“Psoriatic arthritis is associated with metabolic syndrome and a higher risk of cardiovascular disease,” she explained. The increased risk of cardiovascular disease is due to more than untreated inflammation, Dr. Smith believes. “Something beyond inflammation is going on with psoriatic arthritis and cardiovascular health because cardiovascular issues are more associated with psoriatic arthritis than rheumatoid arthritis—another type of inflammatory arthritis,” she said.

Treating PsA does decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease, Dr. Smith explained. She said that it is also very important to stay on top of your overall health maintenance, making sure that a whole person approach to treatment is happening. “This relationship to cardiovascular disease also speaks to the importance of smoking cessation,” said Dr. Smith.

Read the full article at healthcentral.com. 

Diagnosing psoriatic arthritis can present challenges, especially in the beginning stages of the disease, explained Dr Wu. Psoriatic arthritis symptoms can sometimes mimic the symptoms of other conditions—and other conditions may masquerade as PsA. It can take an expert in the disease to tell them apart. 

Osteoarthritis may look similar to psoriatic arthritis, but there are differences, said Dr. Wu. PsA can occur at any time (and can even affect children), but the typical age of onset is between the ages of 30 and 50, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation. 

There are ways to help your provider zero in on the source of your discomfort, said Dr. Wu. To start, organize a list of your symptoms to bring to your appointment. “It is helpful if the patient comes in with a clear timeline, including reporting any patterning of symptoms they have observed,” she says. “It can also help for patients to bring in any previous records they have which might include lab work, x-rays, cat scans, and MRIs.”

Read the full article at healthcentral.com. 

If you’re living with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), your doctor may have talked to you about what’s considered the holy grail of treatment: Remission. Remission with psoriatic arthritis means symptom-free periods with no joint pain or inflammation. That’s the goal, anyway, but achieving remission is far from easy. Working in your favor: newer treatment options, especially biologic therapies, that target the roots of psoriatic arthritis itself, not just its symptoms. It can take some trial and error, but doctors believe that with the right medication, remission today is a real possibility for most people with this disease.

It’s natural to wonder if reaching remission means the end of psoriatic arthritis treatment. That’s unlikely, said Dr. Wu. “I do not recommend treatment be discontinued when remission is reached, but if someone is on multiple medications, then sometimes treatment can be pulled back,” she explained. This is referred to as treatment de-escalation. “It’s also important to consider whether maybe the joint pain is under control, but not all aspects of the condition, such as the skin, is also under control, before pulling back on medication.” Still, Dr. Wu says, the goal at the end of the day is for patients to be on the least medication possible while experiencing the greatest symptom improvement possible.

Without a doubt, lifestyle changes can support psoriatic arthritis remission, said Dr. Wu. “No smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, not drinking alcohol in excess, and following an anti-inflammatory diet can all lead to a better outcome,” she said. A healthy lifestyle can do more than help you maintain remission. “Many with psoriatic arthritis also live with diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome, so managing lifestyle issues can also lead to a better outcome for the other conditions also.”

Read the full article at healthcentral.com

Yoga, an ancient practice of gentle movement that combines physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation, has been used for everything from smoking cessation to stress reduction. Among its many applications, yoga may be helpful for some people living with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) by increasing flexibility in stiff joints, reducing inflammation, and strengthening muscles.

There are many different types of yoga. Each type of yoga can be modified to your level of fitness and flexibility. 

Which one you should try depends on your personal preference—there is no right type of yoga for someone with psoriatic arthritis, says Hughes. “Every type of yoga will likely involve some variation of flexibility, balance, strength, breathwork, and meditation, all of which are beneficial for someone with psoriatic arthritis,” Hughes says. “Read the class description prior to attending to determine if it seems like a good fit for you.”

Read the full article at healthcentral.com. 

Psoriatic arthritis, (PsA) can affect your digits, causing joint aches, swelling, and permanent damage. It often affects distal interphalangeal joints (otherwise known as your toes) and can be really uncomfortable, making walking and mobility in general a challenge.

“Working with your provider to get your disease under control is the first step in managing PsA toe involvement,” explained Dr. Schulman. If you are waiting for a new treatment to work, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may help to reduce symptoms, she added.

“Switching to supportive footwear can help with the mechanical stress on the feet,” said Dr. Schulman. Give your toes a little extra breathing room by wearing, at least temporarily, a shoe with a wider toe box (possibly a man’s sneaker sized for a woman, for example). This may reduce further aggravation to the toes, which can compound their already inflamed state.

Read the full article at healthcentral.com. 

If you’re living with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), you know this autoimmune disease causes issues ranging from back pain to joint tenderness and vision problems. Not to mention skin lesions, which likely came first by way of psoriasis. The condition is similar to rheumatoid arthritis, but without as many resources available to treat and manage it, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation. With so many symptoms wreaking havoc on your body, the challenge of managing PsA is major, but there are strategies to help you find the silver lining. 

“In addition to medications, I also review lifestyle strategies with my patients to improve well-being and maintain a positive outlook,” said Dr. Meng. “I tell patients with psoriatic arthritis to stay physically active with some kind of exercise regimen that includes cardio and strength training.” Exercise is a known mood booster, releasing brain chemicals that make you feel good and help you relax. Moreover, “physical activity helps relieve stiffness and improves other conditions that are often associated with PsA,” she explained." 

Read the full article at healthcentral.com. 

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) can be notoriously difficult to manage, since you’re essentially battling two diseases (psoriasis and arthritis) at once. On the other hand, there are more treatment options than ever to help you succeed at doing that. Another challenge? All of the different treatment protocols can create confusion—and even some untruths about what works, or doesn’t, in treating PsA. 

Feeling better is no excuse for stopping your meds. “Most patients with psoriatic arthritis do best on treatment indefinitely—this is because psoriatic arthritis is a chronic systemic inflammatory condition,” explained Dr. Meng. “Many patients who stop their treatment may experience a disease flare up that puts them at risk for joint damage.” Dr. Meng added that a minority of patients who have their psoriatic arthritis well-controlled for a long time may be able to safely taper their medications under medical supervision.

Read the full article at healthcentral.com. 

As a rheumatologist, I treat People of Color with psoriatic arthritis. Many of my patients receive late diagnoses, because People of Color are less likely to see a specialist early on who can make a proper diagnosis. This is a result of a variety of factors, including the fact that they’re less likely to be referred to a specialist by their primary care doctor. Despite the challenges, I want People of Color with psoriatic arthritis to feel empowered to overcome obstacles. 

People of Color who stay in primary care for the treatment of their rheumatic conditions may be prescribed medications that only treat the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, without delaying the progression of the disease. They also may overly rely on steroids, which are not actually helpful for psoriatic arthritis. If you can, try to get a referral to see a rheumatologist, because they will be the doctor best suited to help you manage your condition.

In rheumatology, very few specialists are People of Color, but we do know that when patients see culturally congruent physicians, they feel more heard and receive more comprehensive care. Since diversity in the rheumatology workforce is limited, allyship is key. Look for a doctor who listens to you, who is aware of their own biases and makes an effort to stay open and empathetic to your unique experience.

When it comes to criteria for the “right” doctor, there are tangibles and intangibles. When you think about tangible criteria, ask yourself: am I getting appropriate screening? Are my X-rays being done on an annual basis? If I’ve been on steroids, is someone checking my bone density? Am I receiving a full physical exam every time I see the doctor? If I’m taking certain drugs, am I getting laboratory monitoring I need?

The intangibles are found in the doctor-patient relationship. Do you feel that your doctor has empathy for you? Do you feel like your doctor takes your concerns seriously? Do they spend enough time describing your condition and treatment choices? Do you have a good understanding of your disease and your treatment plan?

If you don’t feel like you’re being heard, you don’t fully understand your care, or you aren’t receiving the tools and education you need to take care of yourself at home, then you may not have the right doctor. 

Treatment success is important, as well. If you keep coming to your doctor’s appointments with the same concerns and no one is changing your medication despite the fact that you still have other options available, that might not be the right doctor for you. Receiving a disease-modifying medication is key; that means the drug is affecting how your disease progresses, not just easing symptoms. The more that your inflammation goes unchecked, the more your joints may be injured, and the more likely it is that you’ll experience a disability.

Read the full article at healthgrades.com. 

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that can impact practically every part of your body. With psoriatic arthritis, you may experience peripheral arthritis, skin disease, spine disease, enthesitis, dactylitis, nail disease, as well as other comorbidities such as eye disease and anxiety.  But recent treatment advances have improved outcomes for those with this disease and lifestyle modifications are helping people with PsA stay active longer.

Frailty can be another outcome of untreated psoriatic arthritis, per an American College of Rheumatology study. “The prevalence of frailty in older adults with psoriatic arthritis was higher than the prevalence found in older adults in the general population in prior studies,” said Dr. Lieber, who was a co-author on the study. 

The frailty in people with PsA was compounded by issues such as comorbid conditions and falls, said Dr. Lieber, who also found that other PsA-related symptoms seemed to multiply when frailty was not addressed. For instance, “we found that anxiety was more common among adults with psoriatic arthritis who were frail than those who were not frail,” Dr. Liber explained. 

Read the full article at healthcentral.com. 

The foundation of any PsA workout program is cardiovascular exercises like walking and swimming to get your heart pumping, plus strength training and range-of-motion or flexibility exercises to keep your muscles strong and your joints limber, explained Hui. In the real world, he continued, the best exercise is whatever will motivate you to get moving.

Hui recommended starting with a gentle form of exercise to get you going. If you’re not sure where to begin, a physical therapist can help you design a workout program that’s achievable and safe on your joints.

Read the full article at healthcentral.com.

The inflammatory nature of these diseases likely represents the key mechanism underlying the observed overlap. “Both HS and inflammatory arthritis are characterized by a role of cytokines such as IL-6, IL-1beta, and TNF,” explained Dr. Bridges. “The importance of TNF in HS and inflammatory arthritis is supported by the FDA approval of the TNF inhibitor adalimumab for treatment of HS–and this drug is also approved for a variety of other conditions including RA, psoriatic arthritis, and seronegative spondyloarthritis,” he said. 

Read the full article at dermatologyadvisor.com/.

According to Dr. Lieber, “Frailty is increasingly recognized as an important risk factor for adverse health outcomes in multiple rheumatic conditions, including RA. We were interested in evaluating the prevalence of frailty in adults with AS and PsA relative to adults with RA.”

She continued, “We also were interested in assessing whether other clinically relevant factors, such as anxiety, were more common among frail adults compared to non-frail adults with any of these forms of inflammatory arthritis.”

Dr. Lieber explained, “Mental health, including anxiety, is important to consider in adults with inflammatory arthritis. To our knowledge, the higher prevalence of anxiety among frail versus non-frail patients with inflammatory arthritis other than RA has not been previously observed. The prevalence of anxiety in frail enrollees in this study, particularly among those younger than age 65, exceeded the prevalence of anxiety previously reported among Medicare enrollees.”

She added, “The association between frailty and anxiety in patients with inflammatory arthritis needs to be explored further. Whether or not the presence of mental health comorbidity may accelerate the development of frailty is unknown.”

Read the full article at Medpagetoday.com.

Additional coverage: 

• Medscape.com
• Everydayhealth.com
• Healio.com

Dr. Mandl explained, “People often focus on their visible issues and attribute their ‘aches and pains’ to other reasons, such as getting older or an old sports injury acting up, rather than PsA.”

She underscored the need for physicians to think of PsA “if joints are red or swollen – particularly the distal interphalangeal joints of the hand, if the toes or fingers are swelling up like sausages, or if patients complain of pain that is worse in the morning and gets better during the day.”

According to Dr. Mandl, public education to help improve recognition of psoriasis and education to primary care providers to increase referral to a rheumatologist when PsA is suspected is needed, to address the gaps between diagnosis of each condition.

Read the full article at Dermatologyadvisor.com. Additional coverage: Rheumatologyadvisor.com

Dr. Bykerk said the results are encouraging but also noted the 30 mg dose of upadacitinib was associated with more safety concerns and severe adverse advents. She explained, “If this dose is approved for use in patients with PsA, providers will need to use it with caution.”

She added, “Upadacitinib 15 mg daily is a very good option for treatment of PsA, with a safety profile consistent with Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors in other trials. If physicians choose JAKs for PsA, they should continue to monitor lab results for changes.”

Read the full article at The-rheumatologist.org.

Dr. Schulman explained that its best to inform a physician of worsening symptoms so they can determine if it is related to PsA. “We would rather know now than have you wait,” she noted.

She continued, “We really care about patients’ activity of daily living and their participation in their work, personal life, and the things they like to do.”

Fatigue is a common and challenging part of living with PsA. According to Dr. Schulman, “When your body is inflamed, it’s chronically fighting itself. The cytokines [immune system proteins] that are stimulated [during chronic inflammation] can cause a patient to feel malaise and fatigue.”

If pain and stiffness is interfering with sleep, or causing early morning wakening, that can also contribute to fatigue, she added.

Dr. Schulman said PsA is different for everyone, but an uptick in the frequency or severity of flares could indicate that a medication isn’t working well anymore. “There are no consistent guidelines to how many flares are acceptable — some would say that no flares are acceptable,” she noted.

More skin flares might be an indication for a change in therapy. “Some medications work better for the skin and don’t work as well for the joints, so it must be a collaborative effort with the dermatologist, rheumatologist, and patient,” said Dr. Schulman.

Dr. Schulman also explained other symptoms that might be signs of disease progression, including back pain, inflammation where a tendon or ligament attaches to bone, swollen and puffy fingers, changes in nails or eye inflammation.

Read the full article at Creakyjoints.org.

For hands and fingers, Smith suggested putting the fingers in a bowl of dry rice and gently opening and closing the hand.

To improve the range of motion in the wrist, let the arm rest on a table and dangle the wrist over the edge. Curl the wrist upward so that the knuckles are toward the ceiling, then curl the wrist downward. Next, make a fist and move the hand laterally to the left and then to the right. Repeat 10 times daily. To add a strengthening component, add a filled water bottle or small weight. “Do this every other day because your muscles can get sore,” advised Smith.

Smith also recommended daily range-of-motion exercises for the feet, such as calf stretches, like the a runner’s stretch. Stand facing a wall, with hands flat on the surface. Lean forward with one leg, slightly bending the knee. Straighten the other leg behind you, with the heel flat and toes pointed in slightly. Focus on pressing both hips forward as your heels remain flat on the floor. Hold for 30 seconds, then relax for 30 seconds. Repeat three times on each side, but focus on the affected leg, instructed Smith.

Read the full article at Everydayhealth.com.

The initial evaluation of the patient involves determining the extent of illness both from a skin perspective and from an arthritic perspective, explained Dr. Wu. "We need to address both, ideally with a single medication.” Initial treatment particularly for patients with milder disease, can involve an oral DMARD [disease-modifying antirheumatic drug] such as methotrexate. Other oral options that can address both the skin and arthritic symptoms include apremilast and tofacitinib, noted Dr. Wu.

An important consideration when choosing a treatment is the presence of comorbidities. Patients also could have conditions such as cancer or congestive heart failure and could have contraindications to certain medications, said Dr. Wu. "There really is no set algorithm in terms of deciding on treatment because it's individualized to the patients' symptoms and their other medical conditions. You don't want to overtreat but you don't want to undertreat either, so that's where the finesse come in," she counseled.

Read the full article at MedPagetoday.com.

Dr. Meng underscored the importance of addressing other medical conditions. “It’s important to pay attention to these conditions, as they are significant contributors to the successful treatment of psoriatic arthritis [PsA].” What’s more, not treating other health concerns can make PsA pain worse.

Additionally, ecessive drinking can increase the risk of PsA as well as the pain. “Many medications used to treat PsA and its comorbidities predispose people to liver enzyme abnormalities,” explained Dr. Meng. “Drinking alcohol can exacerbate liver problems, which may then limit the use of the medications used to treat PsA, ultimately leading to more pain.”

“Stress can trigger an immune system response that increases inflammation, which is why stress can contribute to the symptoms in some people with psoriatic arthritis,” cited Dr. Meng. “If you are feeling stressed, it’s important to discuss this with your physician who can suggest things like diet changes, social support, and relaxation techniques to help.”

Read the full article at Healthcentral.com.

While sitting down, Hazel suggested doing knee leg extensions (stretching one leg at a time). “This helps loosen up the knee joints which tend to be the stiffest when you have [PsA] psoriatic arthritis,” she explained.

Hand and finger stretches (the opening and closing of the fist slowly, with the elbow rested on the desk and forearm at a 90-degree angle), are important because they tend to be the primary areas affected by PsA, noted Hazel. “Between typing, mouse work, and using the phone, your hands can get stiff and overused so this exercise brings good blood flow to your hands,” she said.

Additionally, taking the time to shrug the shoulders throughout the day will help with overall stiffness. To do this exercise, simply shrug your shoulders up and down and then both together, toward the front and then to the reverse. “When we get stressed we often bring our shoulders up to our ears,” noted Hazel. “We’ve been seeing so many patients with pain because of stress and this is an easy way to lessen that pain and stiffness.”

Read the full article at Healthcentral.com.

Dr. Sammaritano recommends some of her patients to contact the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS), as it is now listed in drug labeling as the “pregnancy registry” contact for many of the medications. OTIS has enrolled women with psoriasis and/or PsA in studies of nine medications, most of them biologics (both TNF-alpha blockers and newer anti-interleukin agents). “Their [OTIS] pregnancy registry studies have added important information to the field over the years,” said Dr. Sammaritano, however she does not recommend registry participation for patients who stop biologics at the diagnosis of pregnancy. As “the start of IgG antibody transfer during pregnancy is about 16 weeks,” Dr. Sammaritano voiced her concern of including these patients might lead to falsely reassuring findings. “We are most interested in [knowing the outcomes of] patients who must continue the drugs through pregnancy,” she explained.

Read the full article at MDedge.com/dermatology.

Wilson advised patients to talk to their physician about any specific muscle aches, mobility restrictions, and joint concerns they might have. Once receiving the go-ahead to exercise, she recommended performing three to four of the stretches each day, prioritizing ones that address joints or muscle groups that feel particularly tight or achy.

Read the full article at HealthCentral.com.

Dr. Sammaritano advised patients with PsA to plan for pregnancy during a period of inactive disease. “Pregnancy is best planned while patients have quiescent disease on pregnancy-compatible medications,” said Dr. Sammaritano. “We encourage [more] rheumatologists to be actively involved in pregnancy planning [in order] to guide therapy.”

Additionally, Dr. Sammaritano provided guidance for tailoring PsA treatment based on the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) guidelines for managing reproductive health in rheumatic conditions, which include recommendations on biologic and other therapies used to treat the disease.

Read the full article at Mdedge.com.

Laura Gibofsky, MS, RD, CSP, CDN, clinical nutritionist at HSS, stated there is no one diet that’s right for everyone with psoriatic arthritis. “Every person is different,” said Gibofsky. Gibofsky explained what you eat is only part of your psoriatic arthritis management, and making healthy lifestyle changes like exercising and talking to your doctor about other treatments is also part of disease management. “Diet is a way to help symptoms and manage your condition; it’s not a cure,” explained Gibofsky.

Read the article at Everydayhealth.com.

Dr. Chan recommended strength training to build and maintain muscle, stating, “The stronger your muscles are, the less wear on your joints." Some patients find relief through regular massage and warm wax therapy. “Warmth is very, very comforting to patients,” explained Dr. Chan. “For example, if someone has arthritis in their hands, I tell them to buy a paraffin bath to soak their hands in.” Application of a cold compress may also help. “While heat is great for loosening up stiff joints, cold is useful when something is acutely inflamed,” she said. “I’m also a big fan of acupuncture. Its very low-risk, so why not try it if it can give a patient a better quality of life?” added Dr. Chan.

Read the article at healthcentral.com.

Proper sleep lowers stress levels, which is a big trigger for patients with PsA. However, if pain of aching joints or discomfort from sensitive skin is keeping you awake at night, it might be time to try a new regimen. “Your doctor may be able to suggest medication specifically to help you sleep better,” said Dr. Chan.

Read the article at healthcentral.com.

Rheumatology Network spoke to Dr. Schwartzman about the findings, who explained, “CAM use is common in the general population but has never been completely evaluated in a cohort of patients with validated CASPAR criteria.” After comparing medication use among those who used CAM and those who didn’t, the researchers found that CAM users were less likely to use biologics and targeted synthetics, however the finding was not statistically significant. Overall, nearly 90 percent of patients using these modalities reported CAM was somewhat helpful.

Dr. Schwartzman concluded, “I wouldn’t support CAM to the exclusion of traditional therapies; however, while CAM for the most part has not been studied prospectively in RCTs, that doesn’t necessarily mean that these modalities are not effective.”

Read the article at Rheumatologynetwork.com.