Risk Factors For Psoriatic Arthritis

Having psoriasis is the single greatest risk factor for psoriatic arthritis. Other risk factors include:
Heredity. Nearly half of people with psoriatic arthritis have a close relative with the disease.
Age. Although anyone can develop psoriatic arthritis, it occurs most often in adults between the ages of 30 and 50.
Race. Caucasians are more likely to develop psoriatic arthritis than are people of other races.
Sex. In general, psoriatic arthritis affects men and women equally, but DIP and spondylitis are more likely to affect men, whereas symmetric arthritis occurs more often in women.
HIV infection. Psoriatic arthritis seems to occur more often among people who are HIV-positive than among those who are HIV-negative. HIV infection may also exacerbate existing psoriasis.

More On The Causes Of Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin condition marked by a rapid buildup of rough, dry, dead skin cells that form thick scales. Arthritis causes pain and stiffness in your joints. Both are autoimmune problems — disorders that occur when your body's immune system, which normally fights harmful organisms such as viruses and bacteria, begins to attack healthy cells and tissue. The abnormal immune response causes inflammation in your joints as well as the overproduction of skin cells.
It's not entirely clear why the immune system turns on itself, but it seems likely that both genetic and environmental factors play a role. Many people with psoriatic arthritis have a close relative, such as a parent or sibling, with the disease, and researchers have discovered certain gene mutations that appear to be associated with psoriatic arthritis.
Having a genetic mutation doesn't necessarily mean you'll develop the disease, but it does mean you have a greater tendency to do so than other people do. Something in the environment — such as a viral or bacterial infection or even physical trauma — may eventually trigger psoriatic arthritis in people who have an inherited tendency.
A number of other factors may trigger psoriatic arthritis, including:
Injury to your skin
Reaction to a medication or vaccine
Infection, especially streptococcal
Stress
Alcohol and poor nutrition
Overexposure to the sun or prolonged exposure to irritating chemicals such as disinfectants and paint thinners

Searching For The Cause Of Psoriasis

Researchers believe the immune system sends faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle in skin cells. Certain people carry genes that make them more likely to develop psoriasis, but not everyone with these genes develops psoriasis. Instead, a "trigger" makes the psoriasis appear in those who have these genes. Also, some triggers may work together to cause an outbreak of psoriasis; this makes it difficult to identify individual factors.Possible psoriasis triggers include: emotional stress; injury to the skin; some types of infection; reaction to certain drugs. Once the disease is triggered, the skin cells pile up on the surface of the body faster than normal. In people without psoriasis, skin cells mature and are shed about every 28 days. In psoriatic skin, the skin cells move rapidly up to the surface of the skin over three to six days. The body can't shed the skin cells fast enough and this process results in patches also called "lesions" forming on the skin's surface.

Understanding Psoriasis Symptoms

Individuals with psoriasis experience skin conditions such as itching, cracking, stinging, burning, or bleeding (ICN Pharmaceuticals, Inc.). These symptoms are usually worse in the winter months due to the lack of sunlight and low indoor humidity (Hall 132). The skin is most likely to crack at the joints where the body bends or in areas where the individual fails to refrain from scratching. Scratching can also lead to bleeding and infection which is why it should be avoided at all costs. This skin condition has also been known to affect fingernails and toenails by causing pits or dents in them. There is also the possibility that the soft tissue inside the mouth and genitalia can be affected. In some cases, individuals experience joint inflammation, which can lead to the development of arthritis symptoms. This condition is known as psoriatic arthritis.

Biogen Sells Psoriasis Treatment Amevive In A Restructuring Move

Biogen said it will continue to manufacture Amevive, a biologic anti-inflammatory compound, and supply it to Astellas. Biogen added it expects the transaction to close as early as mid-April. Biotech company Biogen Idec Inc. said Monday it agreed to sell the worldwide rights of Amevive, a psoriasis treatment, to the U.S. arm of Japanese drug maker Astellas Pharma Inc., for $60 million.
A Biogen spokesman said the deal also includes undisclosed royalty payments.
Biogen said it will continue to manufacture Amevive, a biologic anti-inflammatory compound, and supply it to Astellas. Biogen added it expects the transaction to close as early as mid-April.