For the 17th World Psoriasis Day, the France Psoriasis association highlights a form of psoriasis unknown to the general public but which affects all ages: psoriatic arthritis.
Psoriasis makes patients suffer with a certain indifference. Known by name but still as distorted by prejudice, this pathology affects more than two million people in France. Since 1983, the France Psoriasis association has helped and accompanied all those who suffer from psoriasis. For the 17th edition of World Psoriasis Day, the association is launching a campaign to raise awareness of psoriatic arthritis. Julien Pépiot, representative of the France psoriasis association, sheds light.
– Can you remind us what psoriasis is?
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects 2.4 million people in France. It is a disease with a genetic predisposition which is linked to a dysfunction of the immune system which renews skin cells too quickly. This superposition of cellular layers is at the origin of the plaques which are visible, which can scratch and be painful.
– What is psoriatic arthritis?
Psoriatic arthritis affects about 30% of people with psoriasis. It is a chronic inflammatory pathology that is located in the joints and creates a lot of pain. The joints are painful mainly in the ankles, knees and elbows, but the back can also be affected. The joints are sensitive, numb and/or stiff, and the body is rigid in the morning, this is called morning fatigue. Sometimes the fingers and toes are swollen and painful, the nails are full of holes or crumble, and pain is felt in the heel or on the soles of the feet.
– Are psoriatic arthritis different from other forms of rheumatism such as osteoarthritis?
Psoriatic arthritis develops in people with genetic predispositions and can manifest at any age. Children can have psoriatic arthritis, which is not the case for osteoarthritis.
– What are the complications caused by psoriasis on a daily basis?
On a daily basis, the first problems are at the social level. Even today, there is a rejection of people affected by this pathology linked to a lot of prejudices, such as the fact of thinking that it can be contagious, that it is due to a lack of hygiene, that it is a disease that happens in people’s heads… It’s not easy to see that in people’s eyes.
The disease itself also creates physical difficulties, because these are plaques that hurt, prevent sleep, create fatigue and inevitably lead to daily complications. In addition, depending on its location, psoriasis can become disabling. On the arch of the foot, people can no longer walk, on the palms of the hands, people can’t hold anything, when it’s at the genital level, it’s very complicated to have an emotional life… You understand that psoriasis can affect so many aspects of life.
As far as psoriatic arthritis is concerned, the problem is that it is an “invisible” disease and can affect people of all ages. In fact, it is complicated for patients to make those around them understand what they can experience, especially in the professional world.
– What treatment should be adopted for psoriatic arthritis?
Knowing that this does not affect everyone, if you have skin psoriasis or if you have psoriasis flare-ups in your life, and you have joint pain, you really need to talk to a dermatologist. It will not necessarily be psoriatic arthritis, but in any case, it must be taken care of fairly quickly to prevent joint malformations from forming, because they are irreversible.
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