20 THE QUEENS COURIER • JANUARY 24, 2019 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
top doctors 2019
How a healthy lifestyle and open communication may help with psoriatic arthritis
Living with a chronic autoimmune and
infl ammatory illness like psoriatic arthritis
(PsA) can have a meaningful impact
on many aspects of a person’s daily life.
Symptoms can vary from person to person
and may include joint pain and stiff -
ness, tenderness where tendons or ligaments
attach to bones, swelling of the fi ngers
or toes, and stiff ness in the neck and
lower back. Not only can the disease be
complex, it can also be diffi cult to diagnose,
which may delay appropriate treatment.
As part of an ongoing commitment
to patients with psoriatic arthritis, Pfi zer
launched a global initiative called the PsA
Narrative to elevate the voice of those living
with psoriatic arthritis and to help
improve the lives of people living with this
chronic condition. Th is initiative was led
by Pfi zer with input from the Global PsA
Narrative Advisory Committee, a panel of
physicians and patient organizations from
eight countries.
To better understand the challenges of
psoriatic arthritis, Pfi zer surveyed adults
living with psoriatic arthritis from around
the world, including 301 individuals from
the U.S. Th e U.S. fi ndings of the PsA
Narrative survey suggest psoriatic arthritis
can impact many important characteristics
of a patient’s life, and productive
patient-physician dialogue can be key to
helping improve the outcomes for those
living with this disease. Th e Global PsA
Narrative Advisory Committee has created
some helpful tips to improve the outcomes
of those living with this debilitating
disease.
Stay active
According to the PsA Narrative survey,
some of the most commonly reported
symptoms of psoriatic arthritis are joint
pain (n=260/301), stiff ness (n=226/301)
and swelling (n=210/301), which can limit
range of motion, making it hard for people
living with the condition to move freely.
Tip: One way that people living with
psoriatic arthritis can help manage
these symptoms is through exercise. Dr.
Amar Majjhoo, rheumatologist at Shores
Rheumatology in Michigan and member
of the Global PsA Narrative Advisory
Committee, suggests patients try low-impact
activities like swimming, cycling or
walking as “building muscle relieves pressure
on joints and stretching can help
reduce infl ammation.” Remember to
always speak with a doctor before beginning
a new exercise program.
Reduce and manage stress
In addition to physical symptoms, the
PsA Narrative survey results reported
that more than nine in ten people living
with psoriatic arthritis say it has negatively
impacted their emotional and mental
well-being (n=277/301). More than half
of respondents reported feeling emotional
distress (n=180/301) and more than one
in three experienced social shame or disapproval
(n=105/301).
Tip: Excess stress may worsen fl ares and
make it harder to manage daily activities,
explained Majjhoo, “so it is important to
fi nd ways to reduce and manage stress,
such as meditating, listening to music, or
joining a support group in addition to your
treatment plan.”
Speak up
Psoriatic arthritis can impact a person’s
lifestyle beyond physical and emotional
health. Of those who participated in the
survey, nearly three in four said that psoriatic
arthritis has negatively aff ected their
career path (n=222/301) and their relationship
with family and friends (n=225/301).
As a result, one in fi ve have taken medical
leave due to the condition (n=63/301)
and over half have stopped participating in
social activities (n=155/301).
Tip: It’s important for people with psoriatic
arthritis to feel comfortable talking
to their family, friends and employers.
“Asking others to make simple accommodations,
such as a leisurely walk through
town instead of hiking, or even using a
trackpad instead of a mouse may make the
day easier,” Majjhoo said. “Don’t be afraid
to speak up. Th e people in your life want
you to do what’s best for your health.”
Be open and honest
Open communication is helpful in managing
psoriatic arthritis, especially when it
comes to working with a doctor. Yet, the
PsA Narrative revealed people living with
psoriatic arthritis may not be communicating
how they truly feel. Of the 85 percent
(n=256/301) of patients who worked
with a rheumatologist to manage their disease,
over 90 percent (n=239/256) said
they felt comfortable raising fears and concerns.
However, some worried they would
be perceived as diffi cult patients if they
asked too many questions. Some patients
oft en tell their rheumatologist they are fi ne
when they are actually experiencing psoriatic
arthritis symptoms.
Th e PsA Narrative found that nearly
nine in ten patients currently taking prescription
medication for psoriatic arthritis
who reported satisfaction with their treatment
(n=262/295) are continuing to experience
symptoms (n=251/262).
Tip: “Some patients have trouble being
honest and open with their doctors, but
there are ways people with psoriatic arthritis
can help better their communication
with their healthcare team,” noted
Majjhoo. “Prepare ahead of the appointment
by creating a list of questions or
keeping a journal of symptoms and fl areups.”
To learn more about the fi ndings of the
PsA Narrative and the impact of psoriatic
arthritis on daily life, visit www.pfi zer.
com/psanarrative.
Courtesy BPT
/www.pfi
/WWW.QNS.COM
/www.pfi
