Hi... I'm new to this group

Hi! I'm Bernice and I'm new to this group. Diagnosed in 2006 with Psoriasis & Psoriatic Arthropathy.

Hi Bernice, glad you could join us. Feel free to browse and post.

Could we ask you to explain what is Psoriatic Arthropathy? This is the first time I'm hearing about this form of psoriasis

Psoriatic Arthropathy is a form of arthritis which accompanies the skin disorder psoriasis and which is distinct from rheumatoid arthritis and can at times closely resemble it. It may be found in people with a family history of psoriasis even if they do not currently have any skin problems themselves. There is an increased likelihood of developing the arthritis if other members of the family with psoriasis have it too. There is more than one variety:

* Peripheral type Psoriatic Arthropathy which affects mostly the small joints of the hands and feet and is commonly associated with psoriatic changes in the nails.
* Psoriatic spondylitis in which the spine and sacroiliac joints are affected and which closely resembles ankylosing spondylitis. As in that condition the patient more often than not is of the B27 tissue type.
* A mixed pattern of spondylitis and arthritis of large or small joints, a combination in one individual of the two forms described above.
* A severe and fortunately rare form of psoriatic arthritis sometimes called arthritis mutilans because of the damage done to the joints and which affects large and small joints severely and leads to disability of varying degree.

Bernice,

Thanks for the information that explains the condition. Are you currently experiencing any discomfort or other symptoms?