Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that usually affects the entire body. It can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints and also features psoriatic plaques in the skin. PsA usually starts in a person’s hands and feet and then gradually spreads to other joints. Other symptoms include fatigue, loss of appetite, and energy loss.

Psoriatic arthritis affects about 0.5% of the population. Most people with this condition are 30 to 50, but the disease can occur at any age. In this blog post, we will explore psoriatic arthritis treatment, including drugs, biologics, and surgery. We will also mention the importance of non-pharmacological and non-surgical techniques that may help patients with psoriatic arthritis have a better result with medical therapy, such as anti-inflammatory supplements and weight loss.

Let’s start by talking about drugs that inhibit the immune system and reduce inflammation in patients, such as methotrexate.

1) Methotrexate

Methotrexate is a commonly used medication for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis. It is an immunosuppressant drug that suppresses the immune system to reduce inflammation and pain.

It works by blocking the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase, which is responsible for producing the amino acid methionine. This, in turn, decreases the production of specific proteins needed for the immune system to work normally, reducing inflammation.

Methotrexate is taken orally once a week and is generally well tolerated by most patients, although it can cause some side effects such as nausea, rash, and fever. It can also interact with other medications, so speaking to your doctor about any potential interactions is essential.