arthritis in fingers / Pain and swelling of fingers

Pain and swelling of fingers




A simple questionnaire of only five questions could help people understand if they suffer from psoriatic arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the joints. This is emphasized by US experts from the National Psoriasis Foundation, engaged in an information campaign on this disorder that can affect up to 30 percent of patients with psoriasis.

Early diagnosis

Among the various forms of arthritis, the psoriatic one is one of the most complex: it can in fact present itself in a subtle way, with the result that often the diagnosis arrives even after some years from the onset of the first symptoms. While discovering the disorder when it is in its infancy, it will not only improve the quality of life of those who suffer from it, but it is crucial for the success of the therapies and to prevent the joints from being damaged by the evolution of the disease. On average about 15-30 percent of people with psoriasis are destined to develop psoriatic arthritis later in life, but the opposite can also happen, ie the disease is manifested in those who have never had the typical skin lesions. . However, there is no clear correlation between the severity of psoriasis (hence its extent) and the appearance of psoriatic arthritis: even a patient with mild or moderate psoriasis could develop a picture of arthritis over time.

The quiz in five questions

The test does not provide right or wrong answers, but consists only of 5 questions to answer yes or no. Here they are:
1) Have you ever had swelling in your joints?
2) Has a doctor ever told you that you suffer from arthritis?
3) Do the toenails or hands have streaks or grooves?
4) Have you suffered or are suffering from heel pain?
5) Do fingernails or hands have ever swollen, causing pain, for no apparent reason?
If you give three or more positive responses, the questionnaire's result invites you to consult a doctor to find out if you actually suffer from psoriatic arthritis.

Signals to pay attention to

Psoriatic arthritis is notoriously difficult to detect, also because it can manifest itself in different ways according to people. Pain in the joints (more frequently those of hands, wrists, shoulders, feet and spine, especially the lumbar region) is the most frequent symptom: an evil that can be acute and then even regress, but which can also appear at rest . In the initial stages the pain and the eventual stiffness (which is often associated) are manifested above all during the nocturnal rest, they are more intense in the morning and they are accentuated when it is stopped for a long time. Then there is also the characteristic "salsicciotto" (or dactylitis) finger, characterized by pain and swelling of the fingers or toes. "These signals - write the experts of the National Psoriasis Foundation - can present themselves once or even all together, in a more or less lasting and evident, so it is difficult to reach the diagnosis, but it is important to speak with a doctor if you answer at least three yes yes to the quiz. Starting a targeted therapy as soon as possible, if you suffer from psoriatic arthritis, is essential to alleviate the symptoms and reduce the risk of permanent joint damage ».