title: Psoriatic arthritis: Epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment.
abstract: Our understanding of psoriatic arthritis has evolved as new knowledge of the disease has emerged. However, the exact prevalence of psoriatic arthritis is unknown, and its pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated. Genetic, environmental, and immunologic factors have all been implicated in disease development. Early diagnosis and treatment have become primary objectives in clinical rheumatology. Psoriatic arthritis not only causes functional impairment, but also increases mortality risk of patients. The advent of new therapeutic agents capable of arresting the progression of joint damage is expected. However, early psoriatic arthritis assessment remains limited. The objectives of this article are to outline the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of psoriatic arthritis and to suggest a paradigm for identifying early psoriatic arthritis patients.
authors.affiliation: Jung-Tai Liu, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Liouying, Tainan 736, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jung-Tai
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Jung-Tai Liu, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Liouying, Tainan 736, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Horng-Ming
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Yeh
authors.affiliation: Jung-Tai Liu, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Liouying, Tainan 736, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shyun-Yeu
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Jung-Tai Liu, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Liouying, Tainan 736, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Kow-Tong
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Chen
keywords: Arthritis; Psoriasis; Psoriatic arthritis; Spondyloarthritis