title: Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: clinical features and disease mechanisms.
abstract: Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder affecting approximately 1% to 3% of the world's population. A considerable proportion of patients with psoriasis will develop a form of inflammatory arthritis known as psoriatic arthritis whose prevalence is poorly defined. Significant advances have been made in determining the pathophysiology of both of these diseases, with recent findings strongly implicating T cells and inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha in their pathogenesis. There exists an increasing array of therapies to benefit both skin and musculoskeletal manifestations. Newer therapies, such as the biologics, are providing more targeted approaches with potentially fewer systemic toxicities, providing control of disease symptoms and inhibiting progressive joint damage in those with arthritis, as well as improving long-term function and quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Psoriasis Center of Excellence, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA. myersw@umdnj.edu
authors.forename: Wendy A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Myers
authors.forename: Alice B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Gottlieb
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mease
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015535:Arthritis, Psoriatic / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D002762:Cholecalciferol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016207:Cytokines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010789:Phototherapy; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D011788:Quality of Life; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D016207:Cytokines; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D002762:Cholecalciferol