Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that affects some people with psoriasis, a skin condition characterized by red, scaly patches. In PsA, the immune system causes inflammation in the joints and surrounding tissues, leading to joint pain, stiffness, and swelling, which can affect the fingers, toes, spine, and other joints. A distinctive feature is dactylitis (sausage-like swelling of fingers or toes), and patients may also experience nail changes such as pitting or separation from the nail bed.