Is It Time For A Name Change For Psoriatic Arthritis?
This question came up in my last support meeting. Some people believe that this name is associated with older people. When you say arthritis, the first thing that comes out of people’s mouths is that they know someone who has arthritis. They don't understand how different our arthritis is from elderly people.
I noticed that some people used the term psoriatic disease. The argument about this one was that everyone who has PsA doesn't have PsO. I know we can't please everyone, but what name would you give this disease? Or does it even matter to you? Just curious. Diane (Team Member)
I think psoriatic autoimmune disease would sound better. When people hear the word 'arthritis', they presume, it's just to do with inflammation of joints. I did myself, until I was diagnosed and all my symptoms finally made since. Hello
, I do like the name psoriatic autoimmune disease. I also thought that the word arthritis was associated with inflammation. My father has arthritis. I started having symptoms at the age of 25 but didn't get a diagnosis until age 50. My doctors thought the pain I was having was in my head. How long have you been diagnosed with PsA?
Thanks for sharing with us. We would like to hear more about your journey. Diane (Team Member)
I am a big advocate of the term "Psoriatic Disease". When people, medical professionals included, hear "arthritis", they think of it more as an issue involving joint pain than a systemic immune system disease. Additionally, the term "arthritis" tends to minimize the destructive nature and pain of this disease, as many people have osteoarthritis, and so believe that they can identify with us in our pain. I often ask such people to imagine what it's like, or remember what it's like, hitting your finger with a hammer. "Now, imagine hitting all of your fingers with multiple hammers, hour after hour, day after day, week in and week out, all year long." The pain of Psoriatic Disease is a hammer. In my lifetime I have fractured multiple ribs, a fibula, most of my toes, the third and fourth metacarpal bones (one in three places) of my left hand, two fingers, the transverse process of one of my vertabrae, and my sacrum. I would rather have any of the aforementioned fractures again than suffer a bad flare.
Hello
, Thanks for chiming in. I understand what you are saying. I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis too. We do have a disease that keeps on giving. I didn't get osteoarthritis until later in life. You are right having a flare is no joke. I have been laid up for days with it. I'm still on the fence about the name. When they started saying psoriatic disease, I was a little confused. I didn't know if this was meant for people with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis.
Thanks for sharing some of your journey with us. You always put a different spin on things. I like hearing from you. Diane (Team Member)I don't know why the hell they'd oppose it. The arthritis is only one aspect, though the most visible and distinguishing one, of this disease. For some, it's not even the most serious part. Hello
, You know we can't please everyone, but sadly this is not the first time this subject has come up. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Diane (Team Member)
No truer words,. You can't please everyone! I have an overlap of RA and PsA. I sometimes tell people that I have an autoimmune arthritis. I currently have no skin involvement with the PsA. I had a bout of scalp psoriasis that flared and cleared, nail pitting, and loads of enthesitis on the PsA side. And a positive HBLA 27 result.
Thinking out loud here but I wonder if folks are reluctant to give up the word "arthritis" because they want to be able to have a name for their pain rather than just say "my knee hurts" etc.
I have additional disease issues, like chronic uveitis and some intestinal problems. Pain, though, is my daily symptom. The inflammation damage has led to multiple joint replacements.
I'm not "married" to any sort of name. Depending on who (whom?) I am talking with, I might change it up for the uninformed 😀Everything you've said perfectly illustrates why it's more than just "arthritis", and why a name change is warranted. The very word 'arthritis' is derived from Latin and Greek, and essentially means "pain in the joints". Psoriatic Disease, again, as you've so perfectly illustrated, involves so much more than just the joints.
