There may be more people with a painful condition called psoriatic arthritis than previously thought, a study\u00a0shows.<\/p>\n
INTRODUCTION<\/strong><\/p>\n Psoriatic arthritis is a condition that causes painful joints. It is linked to a skin condition called psoriasis, which\u00a0causes a red, shiny rash. Both conditions are caused by inflammation.\u00a0Any joints in your body can be affected by psoriatic arthritis, but the most commonly affected are joints in\u00a0the hands, fingers, toes, ankles, and knees. You may also have swelling of your fingers or toes, pitted or discoloured WHAT DID THE RESEARCHERS HOPE TO FIND?<\/strong><\/p>\n The researchers wanted to know how many people in the central region of Norway had psoriatic arthritis.<\/p>\n WHO WAS STUDIED?<\/strong><\/p>\n The researchers surveyed 94,000 people in a district in the central part of Norway, Nord-Tr\u00f8nderlag, who were\u00a0aged 20 and over. The people were all taking part in a wider health study.<\/p>\n HOW WAS THE STUDY CONDUCTED?<\/strong><\/p>\n People were asked if they had now, or had ever been, diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, if they had psoriasis,\u00a0and if they had two associated conditions, rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.\u00a0People who answered yes to any of the questions had their medical records checked by specialist doctors to\u00a0see whether it was likely that they had psoriatic arthritis.<\/p>\n WHAT DOES THE NEW STUDY SAY?<\/strong><\/p>\n The study found that 361 people in the study had psoriatic arthritis. This equals about 7 in every 1,000 people\u00a0aged over 20 in the Nord-Tr\u00f8nderlag region. This is higher than in other studies of psoriatic arthritis in\u00a0Norway, which found only about 2 in every 1,000 people had the condition.<\/p>\n HOW RELIABLE ARE THE FINDINGS?<\/strong><\/p>\n The study relied on people correctly answering the questionnaire questions. Some people might not have\u00a0known whether they had the conditions, so the study could have under-estimated the numbers. On the other\u00a0hand, not everyone who was contacted took part in the questionnaire. If people who answered were more\u00a0likely to have health problems than those who did not, that could have led to an over-estimation of the\u00a0numbers with psoriatic arthritis.<\/p>\n WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR ME?<\/strong><\/p>\n Psoriatic arthritis may be more common than previously thought. If you are worried about painful, inflamed\u00a0joints, you should see your doctor.<\/p>\n Copyright \u00a9 2015 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd & European League Against Rheumatism. This information may be distributed without further permission for non-commercial use only.<\/p>\n Disclaimer<\/strong>: This is a summary of a scientific article written by a medical professional (\u201cthe Original Article\u201d). The Summary is written to assist non medically trained readers to understand general points of the Original Article. \u00a0It should not be relied on in any way whatsoever<\/span>, (which also means the Summary is not medical advice), and is simply supplied to aid a lay understanding of general points of the Original Article. It is supplied \u201cas is\u201d without any warranty. You should note that the Original Article (and Summary) may not be accurate as errors can occur and also may be out of date as medical science is constantly changing. \u00a0It is very important that readers not rely on the content in the Summary and consult their medical professionals for all aspects of their health care. Do not use this Summary as medical advice even if the Summary is supplied to the reader by a medical professional.<\/strong> Date summary prepared:\u00a0January 2015<\/p>\n Summary based on research article published on:\u00a020 August 2013<\/p>\n From Hoff, M. et al.<\/em>\u00a0Prevalence and incidence rates of psoriatic arthritis in central Norway: data from the Nord-Tr\u00f8ndelag Health Study (HUNT).\u00a0Ann Rheum Dis<\/em> 2015;74:60-64 doi:10.1136\/annrheumdis-2013-203862<\/a><\/p>\n Copyright \u00a9 2015 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd & European League Against Rheumatism. Medical professionals may print copies for their and their patients and students non commercial use. Other individuals may print a single copy for their personal, non commercial use. For other uses please contact our Rights and Licensing<\/a> Team.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" There may be more people with a painful condition called psoriatic arthritis than previously thought, a study\u00a0shows. INTRODUCTION Psoriatic arthritis is a condition that causes painful joints. It is linked to a skin condition called psoriasis, which\u00a0causes a red, shiny rash. Both conditions are caused by inflammation.\u00a0Any joints in your body can be affected by […]<\/p>\n
\nfinger and toenails, and swellings at the back of your heel.<\/p>\n
\nThe numbers of people with psoriatic arthritis vary a lot around the world. Few people in Asia get it, while\u00a0it is more common in Europe and among white people in the US.<\/p>\n
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