People with gout also experience symptom-free periods.
This connection has been known for decades.
In people with gout, that uric acid builds up in and around joints.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
Here, researchers found the risk for gout was almost twice as high for people with psoriasis.
People with both psoriasis and PsA had a risk 5 times higher.
That buildup eventually triggers joint pain and swelling.
Researchers dont know exactly what causes psoriatic arthritis.
What they do know is that the immune system is involved in the development of both PsA and psoriasis.
Researchers believe gene changes may influence the development of PsA.
Family history also plays a role in PsA, and psoriatic disease tends to run in families.
Environmental factors might also lead to the development of PsA.
It was thought to affect only wealthy men who consumed decadent food and drinks.
Gout is also related to genetics.
Nongenetic changes can also play a role in the development of gout and in triggering gout attacks.
Risk factors for gout include:
Diagnosis
There is no single test to identify PsA.
This is because people with psoriasis and PsA may have high uric acid levels and not have gout.
An accurate and early diagnosis of PsA is vital to avoiding joint damage and deformity.
A diagnosis of gout is usually based on symptoms and the appearance of affected joints.
But treatments for both conditions can relieve pain, reduce symptoms, and prevent failure.
These drugs work on the immune system to prevent damage to the joints, spine, and tendons.
Additional treatment options for PsA can also help to manage your symptoms.
These might include:
Gout treatment focuses on reducing pain and the effects of gout attacks.
Treatment also focuses on preventing gout complications by reducing the amount of uric acid in the blood.
Some people experience both PsA and gout.
So, it is important to look for signs of gout if you have been diagnosed with PsA.
PsA flare-ups and gout attacks might be preventable and symptoms of both these conditions are manageable.
PsA happens when the immune system malfunctions and targets the joints.
Gout is the result of the buildup of uric acid in the blood.
Certain tests can help to tell PsA and gout apart including blood work and joint aspiration testing.
These conditions are not always preventable, but they are manageable and treatable.
A rheumatologist is a doctor who specializes in arthritis, other musculoskeletal conditions, and systemic autoimmune diseases.
While types of arthritis share symptoms, they are different diagnoses and can affect you in different ways.
And while treatments can overlap, every key in of arthritis should be evaluated and treated separately.
Early and aggressive treatment can reduce joint damage and improve your quality of life.
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Updated November 15, 2020.
