Psoriatic ArthritisInfo Center

Back Pain: Arthritis Within Arthritis
Inflammation is the reason patients with rheumatoid arthritis develop swollen and painful joints. But inflammation is not unique to rheumatoid arthritis; it is also behind other painful joint conditions.
Arava Worked in the "Real World"
Arava ( leflunomide ) is one of the many drugs used to fight inflammation - a central feature of psoriatic arthritis. The drug may appear to work well in a research environment, but how does it fare in the "real world"?
Doses Cut, PsA Remission Remains
In many patients, medication can effectively treat psoriatic arthritis. But it is not always wise to keep patients on the same drug dose for too long. After lowering dose, does drug treatment still keep disease at bay?
Drug May Have No Benefit in PsA
Methotrexate (sold as Rheumatrex and Trexall ) may be the first-choice drug for treating rheumatoid arthritis. But how does it fare in patients with psoriatic arthritis? A recent study found no evidence that methotrexate improves joint inflammation in people with psoriatic arthritis.
Arthritis Drug has Dizzying Side Effects
Despite decades of use, methotrexate (sold as Rheumatrex and Trexall) remains a first-choice drug for treating conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. But some side effects lead patients to stop taking the drug.
Heavy Women May Face Arthritis Risk
If you are obese, all that extra weight is putting a strain on your body. Obesity has been linked to a number of health problems, including several types of arthritis.
Shingles Vaccine Safe for More Patients
People taking immunity-suppressing drugs are currently advised against the live-virus shingles vaccine because there is concern that it could lead to shingles, for this population.
Low-Cal Diet Fights Psoriatic Arthritis
Obesity puts a strain on your body. If you have arthritis, the excess weight of obesity can increase the pain and damage caused by your disease. If you are obese and have arthritis, it is time to lose weight.
Quit Smoking To Save Your Joints
You've heard it before: smoking is bad for you. And it's not just your lungs that are harmed from you cigarette habit. Your joints can be affected too.
Smoking Worsens Back Arthritis
A little over half a century ago, cigarettes were not seen as a danger. Some doctors even recommended them. Today, we know that cigarettes are linked to a variety of health problems, including arthritis.