Are Special Populations Affected by Psoriatic Arthritis?

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA), the chronic inflammatory arthritis associated with psoriasis, is thought to occur in up to 1% of the general population. The exact prevalence is difficult to pinpoint, due to the lack of widely accepted diagnostic criteria and the diversity in the disease that may appear very differently from person to person, leading to a high rate of people who are misdiagnosis or undiagnosed.^1,2

PsA usually develops in adults between the ages of 35-55 years of age, occurring equally in men and women.² Within the PsA population, there are some special populations with unique considerations.

Psoriatic arthritis in children

PsA can occur in children and teens, with the most common age of onset between 11 and 12 years of age. This form of PsA is also known as juvenile PsA. In children, PsA often appears at the same time as the onset of the skin disease psoriasis.³

Psoriatic arthritis in pregnant women

Women make up half of the population suffering from PsA, and there are special considerations for women with PsA who become pregnant. Some treatment options may not be safe during pregnancy, and symptoms may fluctuate during the pregnancy and birth.³

Psoriatic arthritis in various ethnic groups

PsA can occur in people of any ethnicity. Whites are known to be more commonly affected; however, the distribution of the disease across ethnicities has not been studied. PsA is reported less frequently in African Americans, Asians, and Latinos. This lower incidence could be due to limitations in access to care and/or lower awareness among people of color. More research needs to be done to establish the prevalence of PsA across ethnicities.^2,3