Treatment of psoriatic arthropathy

Psoriatic arthritis develops in 5% of patients with cutaneous psoriasis. Management is similar to that of other chronic inflammatory joint diseases, and the characteristic features of psoriatic arthritis should be considered: the disease is usually mild, with unpredictable flares and remissions, and skin disease is a concomitant feature. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents are the mainstay of therapy and usually provide adequate control. Among long-term treatments, parenteral gold salts, methotrexate, and azathioprine have been shown to be effective. Retinoids are often used in patients with extensive skin lesions. Other treatments are currently being evaluated (auranofin, colchicine, D-penicillamine, sulfasalazine, cyclosporine, and gamma-interferon). Antimalarials are difficult to handle and may cause progression of skin lesions. Topical treatments are indicated in every case. Indications depend on the specific features of psoriatic arthritis, the clinical pattern, and the severity of the condition.