Historically, psoriatic arthritis (PsA) has received inadequate attention from the medical community. Researchers believed the condition was a relatively mild form of arthritis, and as a result, it frequently went undiagnosed and untreated. Only recently has it become the subject of greater understanding.
Today, psoriatic arthritis is recognized as a chronic condition with profound, deleterious effects that are considered equal to those of other destructive immune system diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. A recent survey conducted by the National Psoriasis Foundation found that about one million Americans suffer from the disease, a number that is roughly double of what was previously thought.
Quality of Life Affected
Psoriatic arthritis occurs when a malfunctioning immune system causes inflammation that leads to painful swelling of the joints, hands and feet. Often, it strikes in the prime of adulthood, between the ages of 30 and 50, and it can have a serious impact on the overall quality of life. This was proven in a 2002 survey conducted by the National Psoriasis Foundation. Nearly 85 percent of the 27,000 people surveyed said that psoriatic arthritis has a moderate to significant impact on their daily activities. Three quarters of the people surveyed said they lose sleep or sleep poorly as a result of the disease, while 69 percent said the disease interferes with their educational, vocational and/or social activities.
Serious Consequences at Stake
Copyright 2009 NBC Health
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