- On Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Kim Kardashian revealed that she saw a doctor after struggling with mysterious symptoms.
- Her doctor originally suspected that she might have rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, and early testing indicated that the suspicions might be correct.
- However, Kardashian was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. Here, a doctor explains what you should know about the condition, including symptoms and treatment.
Kim Kardashian’s health has been a huge focus on Keeping Up with the Kardashians lately. In recent episodes, Kardashian revealed that she saw a doctor after struggling with fatigue, nausea, and swelling in her hands. Her doctor originally suspected that she might have rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, and early testing indicated that the suspicions might be correct.
But on Sunday’s episode, Kardashian finally got a diagnosis: She has psoriatic arthritis, a condition that’s linked to her psoriasis. “First of all, if you have any evidence for lupus, we would have screened it,” her doctor explained in the episode. “You do not have lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. So, you can be reassured. You probably have psoriatic arthritis because psoriasis comes and goes. There’s nothing there right now.”
Kardashian said she felt “relieved” that her symptoms weren’t as severe as she initially thought they were. She also revealed last week on TODAY that she’s on medication. “I unfortunately had to be put on medication to stop the symptoms, I tried everything natural for the longest time and we chose the best route for me so luckily right now everything is under control,” she said at the time.
What is psoriatic arthritis, exactly?
Psoriatic arthritis is a form of inflammatory arthritis that happens in some people with psoriasis, a systemic inflammatory disease where skin cells build up and form scales, according to the American College of Rheumatology. In some people, psoriatic arthritis is mild and causes occasional flare-ups; with others, it’s constant and can cause joint damage if it’s not treated.
While psoriatic arthritis usually happens in people who have psoriasis, it can also occur in people who don’t have the skin condition, the American College of Rheumatology says. It usually shows up in people between the ages of 30 and 50, and about 15 percent of people with psoriasis go on to develop psoriatic arthritis.
What are the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis?
They can vary, but this form of arthritis can impact any joint in the body, the American College of Rheumatology says. However, it typically impacts larger joints, especially those in your lower extremities, fingers and toes, back, and pelvis.
People with psoriatic arthritis usually have joint pain and swelling, says Orrin Troum, MD, a rheumatologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif. “Patients typically have psoriasis first and approximately 10 years later they may develop arthritis,” he says.
How is psoriatic arthritis diagnosed?
Rheumatologists usually look for swollen and painful joints, patterns of arthritis, and skin changes, Dr. Troum says. They’ll also usually order an MRI, CT scan, or ultrasound to try to look at a patient’s joints more closely, he says. Doctors may also order blood tests to rule out other forms of arthritis or conditions, the American College of Rheumatology says.
How is psoriatic arthritis treated?
Treatment varies depending on how severe a person’s arthritis is, but there are a lot of options. For more mild cases, a patient may be told to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen or naproxen, Dr. Troum says. However, he adds, “they don’t stop the disease.”
Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDS) can also help, as well as biologic type medications that can be given via infusion or injection. Ultimately, Dr. Troum says that there are several effective options for treating and controlling psoriatic arthritis. And, he adds, it’s “very likely” that a patient can get their psoriatic arthritis under control with the right treatment.
Now, Kardashian says she seems to be feeling a lot more optimistic about her health. “The pain is going to come and go sometimes, but I can manage it,” she said. “This isn’t going to stop me.”
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