More than 8 million individuals in the United States have psoriasis. This chronic inflammatory skin disease is characterized by patches of red or discolored and irritated skin that are often covered by flaky white or gray scales, depending on the skin type. An estimated 10-30% of people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis (PsA) – a type of inflammatory arthritis linked to psoriasis.
Approximately 40% of people with PsA report significant impacts on their everyday life, and despite PsA occurring equally in women and men, women often report experiencing more fatigue and functional limitations. Women are also less likely to respond to some treatments and achieve remission than men.
Patients are not often assessed for joint pain during psoriasis care visits, delaying a timely diagnosis by years, and potentially resulting in irreversible joint damage. Psoriasis (and subsequent PsA) is also under-diagnosed among African Americans and other individuals with skin of color due to differences in clinical presentation.
SWHR is hosting a series of webinars to share educational information about the impact of psoriatic arthritis on women’s health. The events will discuss how to improve health outcomes through recognizing and addressing symptoms, comorbidities, treatment options, and barriers to accessing quality care, while highlighting the diverse experiences of women across the lifespan.
The SWHR Psoriatic Arthritis series includes:
Psoriatic Arthritis: More than Just Sore Joints (October 17, 2022)
