Which type of arthritis afflicts people with psoriasis?

• A. Fibromyalgia
• B. Psoriatic arthritis
• C. Rheumatoid arthritis
• D. Gout

Answer: (B)

Psoriatic arthritis is the inflammatory arthritis that accompanies psoriasis. When the immune system drives joint pain and swelling in someone with skin psoriasis, this specific type of arthritis emerges. It often shows up as joint pain in a pattern that can be asymmetric, may involve the fingers or toes, and can include features like dactylitis (sausage-like digits) or enthesitis (inflammation where tendons attach to bone). This link to skin psoriasis distinguishes it from other arthritides. Fibromyalgia involves widespread pain without inflammation and isn’t tied to psoriasis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory arthritis but is defined by autoimmune disease rather than its association with psoriasis, though a person could have both conditions. Gout is caused by uric acid crystal buildup and usually presents with sudden, severe attacks in a single joint. So the arthritis type that afflicts people with psoriasis is psoriatic arthritis.