Can You Prevent Psoriatic Arthritis if You Have Psoriasis? | Everyday Health

If you’re living withpsoriasisand are worried about developing银屑病关节炎, you may be wondering how high your risk is — and whether you can reduce it or even eliminate it altogether.

Psoriatic arthritisis common amongpeople with psoriasis,according to the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF), affecting about one in three, and often developing about 10 years after psoriasis does. And while the exact cause of psoriatic arthritis is still unknown, genetics play a key role.

“There is a strong hereditary component, especially in first degree relatives. Certain genes are higher risk for creating the specificinflammationmarker we see in psoriasis,” saysMasoom Modi, MD, arheumatologistand assistant clinical professor of medicine at the University of California in Los Angeles.

Other factors that contribute to psoriatic arthritis risk include how much of yourskinis affected by psoriasis, where the psoriasis is located, and whether you have any otherautoimmune diseases, explains Dr. Modi.

“Usually people with more severe psoriasis are at higher risk, as well as certain categories of psoriasis —inverse,scalp, psoriatic nail disease,” says Modi, adding, “Some people who have inflammatory bowel disease, such asCrohn’s diseaseorulcerative colitis, may carry a risk of developing psoriatic arthritis, or a subtype calledenteropathic arthritis.”

While you can’t control your genetics, new research suggests there are several risk factors you may be able to influence that can help you lower your odds of developing psoriatic arthritis down the line. Here are some things you can do to help keep psoriatic arthritis at bay.

Maintain a Healthy Weight to Lower Your Psoriatic Arthritis Risk

In a recentreview in the March 2021 issue of theJournal of the American Academy of Dermatology, researchers looked at whether lifestyle factors affected risk of developing psoriatic arthritis among people with psoriasis. Interestingly, the study suggests that making certain changes, such aslosing weightif you are overweight orobese, could make a difference.

Participants in the study who were overweight or obese were found to have an increased psoriatic arthritis risk — and the higher theirbody mass index, or BMI, the higher their risk. According to areview published in June 2020 inRheumatology and Therapy, this is likely because fat tissue plays a role in inflammation throughout the body.

“There is no question there is a link between obesity and psoriasis, and that there is a higher link in those with obesity of developing psoriatic arthritis on top of psoriasis,” saysEric Ruderman, MD, a rheumatologist and professor of medicine in the division of rheumatology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.

Maintaining a healthy weight plays a vital role in lowering psoriatic arthritis risk, says Modi. Not only can weight loss decrease inflammation in your body if you’re overweight or obese but it can alsorelieve stresson your joints and tendons, Modi adds. “Extra weight leads to higher demands on the joints and tendons, which can cascade into increased inflammation,” she says.

So, how can you reach a healthy weight? One key step is to stick to a healthy, anti-inflammatorydiet— which is often recommended for people with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis,according to the NPF. Some anti-inflammatory foods you can try are:

Tomatoes
Olive oil
Nuts, including walnuts andalmonds
Green leafy vegetables, such askaleand spinach
Fruit, such as cherries,blueberries, oranges, and strawberries
Fatty fish, including salmon, tuna, sardines, and mackerel

Dr. Ruderman also recommends limitingprocessed foodsand excesssugar. “A more balanced diet with lots of veggies is always encouraged. Diet is not one size fits all. This may also include going on an elimination diet [a short term diet where you cut out a particular food for two to four weeks to see if your symptoms decline,according to Harvard Health] to determine which foods may trigger your银屑病关节炎symptoms,” he explains.

On top of diet, staying physically active is another important part of any weight management toolbox.According to the NPF, people with psoriasis should aim to fit in 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day for at least five days a week, along with additional strength-training exercises.

Wondering what exercises to try? TheNPF specifically recommends yogaandtai chito promote flexibility and range of motion.

Physical Trauma Could Raise Psoriatic Arthritis Risk

The March 2021 review article also showed that psoriatic arthritis risk was influenced by physical trauma, which could include fractures and other incidents requiring any type of medical care. Earlier research yielded similar findings: In astudy published in June 2015 inAnnals of the Rheumatic Diseases, researchers found that physical trauma, especially to bones and joints, was tied to an increased risk of psoriatic arthritis in people with psoriasis.

So why might physical trauma raise your odds of developing psoriatic arthritis? According to the authors of the 2015 study, this is due to the Koebner phenomenon — a link between the development of psoriasis lesions after damage to the skin. And the same goes for damage to bones or joints caused by trauma, which experts call the “deep Koebner” effect.

“We have seen [the Koebner phenomenon] more often in skin — for example,vitiligo, psoriasis,” says Modi.

Wondering how can you protect yourself from the Koebner phenomenon if you have psoriasis? If you have a cut or other skin wound, be sure to promptly clean and dress it to avoid infection. And to prevent cuts during outdoor activities, wear long sleeves and pants when you can.

Care for Your Mental Health to Lower Your Odds of Developing Psoriatic Arthritis

Your mental health could play an important role in preventing psoriatic arthritis. In fact, Modi saysbob bet体育 andanxietyare underrated modifiable risk factors for psoriatic arthritis.

“We tend to think that ourmental healthdoes not have an impact on our physical symptoms, when in fact, stress and anxiety have an impact on our bodies’cortisol levels,” says Modi. “This can directly lead to disruptions in our metabolism and the inflammation cascade.”

Incorporatingself-careinto your daily routine can give your mental health a boost.According to the Arthritis Foundation, self-care could include:

Acupuncture
Massage
Yoga
Physical activity
Healthynutrition
Meditation
Visualization
Support groups

While these strategies can all help, you may also want to talk with a psychologist or other therapist to discuss any mental health challenges you’re struggling with.

Last, But Not Least: Be Diligent About Your Psoriasis Medication

Modi adds that managing psoriasis withmedicationmay play a role in staving off psoriatic arthritis.

“Unfortunately, there is no preventive medication if you haven’t exhibited arthritic symptoms,” she says. “But if your doctor advises you to take therapy to prevent erosions or worsening damage — due to high inflammation, or other objective markers such asX-rayorMRIchanges — there are several reasons to take it.”

So if your doctor has told you to takepsoriasis medication, it’s important you do so. “Your doctor didn’t prescribe this lightly,” says Modi. “If you have questions or doubts about a particular medication, talk to your doctor first before discontinuing it on your own.”