A Clinician's Guide to Diagnosing and Managing Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is commonly encountered in psoriasis patients. Its presentation varies and has several subtypes. Psoriatic arthritis should be differentiated from other forms of arthritis. The clinician must differentiate between the other potential various arthropathies that may be seen in patients with psoriasis. After the diagnosis is made, treatment can be tailored to the individual and his or her co-morbidities. There are several therapeutic options, ranging from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to biologic drugs. In order to provide optimal care for the patient, the clinician should become versed in various diagnostic and therapeutic modalities of psoriatic arthritis.