A Comprehensive Guide to Psoriasis Types, and Treatment
Psoriasis is a chronic, non-contagious, immune-mediated, inflammatory skin disease that primarily involves the epidermal cell layer of the skin increasing the cell turnover rate. This produces pruritic, erythematous papules and plaques over the skin, covered by the silvery micaceous scale. The severity of symptoms in psoriasis patients is variable and the clinical course is characterized by recurrent flare-ups and remissions. In addition to its physical manifestations, the disease is also known to have a significant impact on the emotional and psychosocial well-being of the patient. Various topical and systemic agents have been approved for the treatment of psoriasis.
Types of Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is clinically diverse and classified based on the criteria developed by Moll and Wright into 5 subtypes. Nail psoriasis, scalp psoriasis, and perianal psoriasis are particularly high-risk factors for developing psoriatic arthritis. For our full Ayurvedic clinical approach to this condition, see Psoriatic Arthritis Treatment in Bangalore.
- Classic type: In this type, distal interphalangeal joints are particularly involved.
- Asymmetric oligoarthritic type: This is the most characteristic type of psoriatic arthritis, in which both major and minor small joints are involved asymmetrically.
- Symmetric polyarthritic type: Symmetrical involvement of multiple large and small joints associated with bony ankylosis.
- Spondylitic type: The majority of these patients have both spondylitis causing back pain and peripheral arthritis.
- Arthritis mutilans: This is named after the clinical appearance of hands following osteolysis of phalangeal and metacarpal bones.
Symmetric polyarthritic type is similar to rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but both of these can be differentiated by the frequent involvement of distal interphalangeal joints and the absence of extra-articular features of RA in psoriatic arthritis. Likewise, the spondylitic type of psoriatic arthritis can be differentiated from ankylosing spondylitis by its less severe course of the disease and better prognosis.
Conclusion
Understanding which type of psoriatic arthritis you have helps guide the right treatment approach. If you’d like to discuss an Ayurvedic approach for your case, our Ayurvedic Psoriasis Treatment guide covers this in detail, or see our Psoriatic Arthritis Treatment in Bangalore page for our specific clinical protocol.