Who Should Be On Your Psoriatic Arthritis Care Team?

“It is important to note that psoriasis is a systemic disease, meaning it affects more than one organ system in the body,” says Tanya Kormeili, MD, a dermatologist in private practice in Santa Monica, California.

Rheumatologist

“The key person in psoriatic arthritis is the rheumatologist for managing the joints and the permanent damage this disease can cause in the system,” says Kormeili. She adds that proper diagnosis and treatment are key to saving joint health.

“[A rheumatologist] should be involved early on to decide on the optimal therapeutic regimen in collaboration with a dermatologist,” says Abhijeet Danve, MBBS, MD, a rheumatologist who specializes in psoriatic arthritis at Yale Medicine in Old Saybrook, Connecticut.

Primary Care Provider

“PCPs play a central role in screening, monitoring, and managing these conditions through routine assessment of blood pressure, lipid profiles, blood glucose, body weight, and mental health status, as well as providing lifestyle counseling,” says Danve.

So, while your cardiologist can address high blood pressure, they will not also manage your diabetes treatment. Your primary care provider can help discover gaps in your care and make recommendations, so you can be sure all aspects of your health are being addressed.

Dermatologist

“For patients with both plaque psoriasis on the skin and joint pains, evaluation by a dermatologist is critical,” says Arjun Dupati, MD, a dermatologist in private practice in Rochester Hills, Michigan.

“There are quite a few therapies that effectively treat both conditions at once, especially biologic medications that target specific proteins inside the body,” says Dr. Dupati. And your dermatologist can often treat psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis together.

Cardiologist

Endocrinologist

Complications like these can also contribute to increased risk of heart disease, says Danve. “So having an endocrinologist on the team is very helpful.”

Mental Health Professional

Regular meetings with a mental health specialist can help you manage the pressures that come with PsA. “Having a strong team of people who care about you, from great friends to professionals to self-help books that keep your spirits up, can also be beneficial,” says Kormeili.

Ophthalmologist

About 10 percent of people with PsA develop eye problems.

“Psoriatic arthritis patients may benefit from regular eye exams for eye inflammation, such as uveitis and conjunctivitis,” says Kormeili.

Podiatrist

Additional Care Team Members

Along with physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners, you may also benefit from other healthcare professionals who help manage psoriatic arthritis:

• Physical and occupational therapists can help you stay mobile and manage joint changes as they arise.

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• Pharmacists keep track of your medications to ensure they can be taken safely together. They can also recommend over-the-counter options.

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• Dietitians can recommend food options that decrease inflammation and promote a healthy weight.

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The Takeaway

• Psoriatic arthritis causes joint pain and inflammation. It can also affect other body systems, like your eyes and heart.
• To manage psoriatic arthritis, you may need to see specialists like a rheumatologist, cardiologist, dermatologist, endocrinologist, ophthalmologist, podiatrist, or mental health professional in addition to your primary care provider.
• Not everyone with PsA needs to see all these specialists, and your primary care provider can help you decide which will benefit you most.