Diagnosing and understanding psoriatic arthritis
ARTICLE SUMMARY: Psoriatic arthritis is a form of arthritis often seen in psoriasis patients. It causes pain, swelling, and stiffness of one or more joints. Left untreated, it can cause permanent damage. So seeking diagnosis and treatment of psoriatic arthritis is very important.
FDA wants more research before considering Pfizer RA drug Xeljanz for use in psoriasis
On October 14, 2015, Pfizer announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has declined to approve Pfizer’s rheumatoid arthritis drug Xeljanz (tofacitinib citrate) to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adult patients.
The FDA, in what is called a Complete Response Letter, made recommendations to Pfizer about what additional information it should provide to try again to win approval of Xeljanz for psoriasis.
Weight, obesity, psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis
ARTICLE SUMMARY: Psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and excess weight/obesity are often seen together. While scientists will continue to sort out the precise nature of the causes and links, there are very good reasons right now for obese or overweight psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis patients to work on reducing their weight.
There is a growing body of research – and more than a little conjecture – about the relationship between body weight and psoriatic disease. We try to sort it out for you below.
Winter To Do List for Psoriasis Patients
Here are a few things to think about as the days grow shorter and the weather grows colder.
FLU SHOT
It is flu season, and that means it is time to get your flu shot. If you are on an immune suppressing medication – including a biologic injection or infusion, methotrexate or prednisone – you should get the flu shot, NOT the flu mist nasal spray. The shot uses dead virus, while the mist uses live but weakened virus. But the experts insist it is wise to get a flu shot.
For more information, read the U.S. government’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s web page on arthritis and the flu. The discussion is generally applicable to psoriatic arthritis and even many psoriasis patients.
MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT
The annual Medicare Open Enrollment period runs from October 15 through December 7. This is the time for Medicare beneficiaries to make sure their current plan still meets their needs; for example, whether any prescription coverage is best for the prescription medications they expect to be taking in the coming year.
Psoriasis severity linked to blood vessel inflammation
A new study conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has found, in the words of the lead researcher who conducted it, that “the more psoriasis was on the skin, the more inflammation there was in the blood vessels.”
Blood vessel inflammation is of concern because while “it is not proven that inflammation causes cardiovascular disease, inflammation is common for heart disease and stroke patients….”