Psoriatic Arthritis: What I've Witnessed
From my best friend's father to golf icon Phil Mickelson, personal glimpses of how psoriatic arthritis can affect a life, and a career.
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a type of inflammatory arthritis associated with psoriasis, an autoimmune condition marked by patches of red skin and silvery scales. The arthritis may appear before or after the skin lesions and can resemble rheumatoid arthritis.
I first saw PsA during my high school years. My best friend's father, a physician, battled daily joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. He had psoriasis in young adulthood, and his joint symptoms began at 38. Over about thirteen years, I watched his function slowly decline until he could no longer keep up with his hectic medical practice and had to step away for several years.
Many golf fans know that Phil Mickelson, one of the sport's icons, has spoken openly about his psoriatic arthritis since the 2010 US Open. I can only imagine how difficult it is to play a sport requiring so much twisting, bending, gripping, and swinging while battling inflammation.
Both stories share a hopeful thread: with early and aggressive treatment, my friend's father eventually returned to clinical practice, and Phil Mickelson has continued to win tournaments. PsA is challenging, but it does not have to define a life.
Dr. Maggie Cadet, MD