IBD that includes psoriasis and joint symptoms is most consistent with which arthropathy?

IBD that includes psoriasis and joint symptoms is most consistent with which arthropathy?

• A. Osteoarthritis
• B. Gout
• C. Psoriatic arthritis
• D. Reactive arthritis

Answer: (C)

Psoriatic arthritis fits when arthritis occurs in someone with psoriasis, because this combination defines a seronegative inflammatory arthritis that links skin findings with joint involvement. Psoriatic arthritis is part of the seronegative spondyloarthropathies, so rheumatoid factor is usually negative, and the disease often features patterns beyond simple joint swelling—such as dactylitis (sausage digits), enthesitis (tendon insertion sites), and sometimes spinal involvement. The coexistence of psoriasis makes this diagnosis the most likely explanation for joint symptoms in the context of inflammatory conditions. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative process and typically lacks psoriasis or other inflammatory skin findings. Gout is driven by urate crystal deposition and presents with sudden, intensely painful joints, often the big toe, but not specifically psoriasis. Reactive arthritis follows a GI or GU infection and has a distinct clinical pattern that isn’t centered on psoriasis. So the combination of skin psoriasis with joint symptoms most strongly points to psoriatic arthritis.

Psoriatic arthritis fits when arthritis occurs in someone with psoriasis, because this combination defines a seronegative inflammatory arthritis that links skin findings with joint involvement. Psoriatic arthritis is part of the seronegative spondyloarthropathies, so rheumatoid factor is usually negative, and the disease often features patterns beyond simple joint swelling—such as dactylitis (sausage digits), enthesitis (tendon insertion sites), and sometimes spinal involvement. The coexistence of psoriasis makes this diagnosis the most likely explanation for joint symptoms in the context of inflammatory conditions.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative process and typically lacks psoriasis or other inflammatory skin findings. Gout is driven by urate crystal deposition and presents with sudden, intensely painful joints, often the big toe, but not specifically psoriasis. Reactive arthritis follows a GI or GU infection and has a distinct clinical pattern that isn’t centered on psoriasis. So the combination of skin psoriasis with joint symptoms most strongly points to psoriatic arthritis.