What are the symptoms? The symptoms of arthritis are warmth, swelling and pain in the affected joints. The affected joints are commonly the knees and ankles but also include the small joints of the hands and feet, and the wrists. Uveitis is inflammation within the eye. It occurs in about 20 per cent of children with psoriatic arthritis. Children with uveitis often have no symptoms at all but may still have damage to their vision. It is very important for children with psoriatic arthritis to have regular eye checks to screen for uveitis. Recognised patterns of psoriatic arthritis in adults include spondylitis (arthritis of the spine) and enthesitis (inflammation of the tendons), but children with these patterns of disease are classified as having different types of JIA. What are the causes? Though the cause is unknown, it is recognised that approximately half of children with psoriatic arthritis have a first-degree relative with psoriasis. How is it diagnosed? The diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis is made clinically and with the family history. The diagnostic criteria have changed over the years. The current International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR) criteria are: arthritis and psoriasis, orarthritis and two or more of:dactylitis (inflammation of fingers or toes)nail pitting (presence of small depressions on the nail surface) or abnormal nailsfamily history of psoriasis in a first-degree relative. Children are excluded from the diagnosis if they have positive blood tests for HLA B27 or for IgM rheumatoid factor. Blood tests may show signs of inflammation but this does not affect the diagnosis. How is it treated? Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as naproxen or ibuprofen are used to reduce pain and inflammation in affected joints. Methotrexate is a disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug, which will completely suppress disease activity in many children. If methotrexate does not work then new biological therapies are used to suppress disease activity. Physiotherapy is important to recover muscle strength around affected joints. Occupational therapy is important if the hands or wrists are affected. Psychology support can be helpful in a variety of ways. In a long-term follow-up study of children diagnosed using the old criteria for psoriatic arthritis, over half had grown out of their arthritis, and under half had persistent arthritis. Inheritance patterns and prenatal diagnosis Inheritance patternsThough the condition is slightly more frequent in people with certain genetic markers, there is no clear inheritance pattern. It is very unusual to have more than one child in a family with arthritis. Prenatal diagnosisNot applicable. Is there support? Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance (PAPAA) Tel: 01923 672 837Email: info@papaa.orgWebsite: papaa.org The Alliance is a Registered Charity in England and Wales No. 1118192. It provides information and support to anyone affected by psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, including specific information for parents of children with these conditions. Group details last reviewed August 2022. Information and support in the UK for psoriatic arthritis in children is also provided by Juvenile Arthritis Research (JAR) (see entry Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis).
What are the symptoms? The symptoms of arthritis are warmth, swelling and pain in the affected joints. The affected joints are commonly the knees and ankles but also include the small joints of the hands and feet, and the wrists. Uveitis is inflammation within the eye. It occurs in about 20 per cent of children with psoriatic arthritis. Children with uveitis often have no symptoms at all but may still have damage to their vision. It is very important for children with psoriatic arthritis to have regular eye checks to screen for uveitis. Recognised patterns of psoriatic arthritis in adults include spondylitis (arthritis of the spine) and enthesitis (inflammation of the tendons), but children with these patterns of disease are classified as having different types of JIA.
What are the causes? Though the cause is unknown, it is recognised that approximately half of children with psoriatic arthritis have a first-degree relative with psoriasis.
How is it diagnosed? The diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis is made clinically and with the family history. The diagnostic criteria have changed over the years. The current International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR) criteria are: arthritis and psoriasis, orarthritis and two or more of:dactylitis (inflammation of fingers or toes)nail pitting (presence of small depressions on the nail surface) or abnormal nailsfamily history of psoriasis in a first-degree relative. Children are excluded from the diagnosis if they have positive blood tests for HLA B27 or for IgM rheumatoid factor. Blood tests may show signs of inflammation but this does not affect the diagnosis.
How is it treated? Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as naproxen or ibuprofen are used to reduce pain and inflammation in affected joints. Methotrexate is a disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug, which will completely suppress disease activity in many children. If methotrexate does not work then new biological therapies are used to suppress disease activity. Physiotherapy is important to recover muscle strength around affected joints. Occupational therapy is important if the hands or wrists are affected. Psychology support can be helpful in a variety of ways. In a long-term follow-up study of children diagnosed using the old criteria for psoriatic arthritis, over half had grown out of their arthritis, and under half had persistent arthritis.
Inheritance patterns and prenatal diagnosis Inheritance patternsThough the condition is slightly more frequent in people with certain genetic markers, there is no clear inheritance pattern. It is very unusual to have more than one child in a family with arthritis. Prenatal diagnosisNot applicable.
Is there support? Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance (PAPAA) Tel: 01923 672 837Email: info@papaa.orgWebsite: papaa.org The Alliance is a Registered Charity in England and Wales No. 1118192. It provides information and support to anyone affected by psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, including specific information for parents of children with these conditions. Group details last reviewed August 2022. Information and support in the UK for psoriatic arthritis in children is also provided by Juvenile Arthritis Research (JAR) (see entry Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis).