Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Psoriatic arthritis(PsA) andmultiple sclerosis(MS) are both autoimmune diseases. They occur when the immune system malfunctions and attacks healthy cells and tissue. With PsA, the immune system attacks the skin and joints. With MS, attacks focus on the protective coverings of nerve cells of the brain, spinal cord, and eyes.
Both PsA and MS are progressive diseases, which means they will get worse with time. It is, therefore, important to get an early diagnosis and treatment to reduce the complications and damage these conditions can cause.
This article will discuss PsA vs. MS, including symptoms, causes, and treatment.
Verywell / Laura Porter
Some symptoms of PsA and MS are similar because the underlying processes of these two conditions are alike. These conditions also have many differences. Both have symptoms that come and go in the form of flare-ups (times of higher disease activity and more symptoms) and remission (times of fewer symptoms and reduced disease activity).
Joint pain, stiffness, andswelling
Inflammation of joints on one or both sides of the body
Joint warmth and redness of affected joints
Dactylitis
Enthesitis
Low back pain or sacroiliitis
Nail changes, including pitting, crumbling, and nail bed separation
Eye inflammation, eye pain and redness, and blurry vision, sometimes vision loss
Multiple SclerosisNumbness or weakness of the limbs on one side of the bodyElectric shock sensations with certain movement, especially when bending the neckMuscle stiffness and spasmsTremorsLack of coordination or an unsteady gait (walk)Partial or complete vision lossPain with eye movementDouble visionFatigueDizzinessBlurry visionSlurred speechTingling or pain in different body areasProblems with sexual, bowel, or bladder function
Numbness or weakness of the limbs on one side of the body
Electric shock sensations with certain movement, especially when bending the neck
Muscle stiffness and spasms
Tremors
Lack of coordination or an unsteady gait (walk)
Partial or complete vision loss
Pain with eye movement
Double vision
Fatigue
Dizziness
Blurry vision
Slurred speech
Tingling or pain in different body areas
Problems with sexual, bowel, or bladder function
Psoriatic Arthritis
PsA affects less than 1% of the American population.But PsA affects about 30% of people withpsoriasis, an inflammatory skin condition that causes red patches of skin with silvery scales to pile up.
Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling are the main symptoms of PsA. They can affect any part of the body, including the fingers and toes, hands and feet, and the spine.
PsA affects joints on one or both sides of the body and can sometimes resemble another type of inflammatory arthritis calledrheumatoid arthritis, which causes inflammation in the lining of joints.
Additional symptoms of PsA are:
PsA is sometimes confused with MS. This is because it is a type ofspondyloarthritis, an umbrella term for conditions that cause inflammation of the spine. Symptoms of spondyloarthritis can overlap with MS.
According to a study reported in 2019 in the journalMultiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, as many as 7% of MS diagnoses were actually spondyloarthritis conditions.
Multiple Sclerosis
Symptoms of MS can vary from person to person and depend on the amount of nerve damage and what nerves might be affected. Some people with MS may have long periods of remission, whereas others may lose their ability to walk or care for themselves.
MS FrequencyAccording to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, there are nearly 1 million people in the United States living with MS.
MS Frequency
According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, there are nearly 1 million people in the United States living with MS.
Symptoms of MS can affect movement, vision, and function. Common symptoms include:
As with all autoimmune diseases, the causes of PsA and MS are unknown. One theory as to what might cause an autoimmune disease is that some types of microorganisms (such as bacteria or viruses) or drugs can trigger changes that confuse the immune system and lead it to malfunction.This might happen to people who already have genes that make them susceptible to autoimmune diseases.
Incorrect immune system responses in PsA cause the immune system to attack the joints and promote the overproduction of skin cells. Researchers believe PsA can develop from both genetic and environmental risk factors.
Many people with PsA have a family member with PsA or with psoriasis, or they may have psoriasis themselves.Researchers have discovered certain genetic markers that are linked to the development of PsA.
Researchers also know that certain triggers—such as physical trauma, chronic stress, infections, or environmental factors (like toxins)—might trigger PsA in people who have genes linked to PsA.
Risk factors for PsA are:
The specific cause of MS is unknown. With MS, a malfunctioning immune system destroys themyelin sheath—the fatty substance coating and protecting the fibers of the brain and spinal cord. When myelin is damaged and nerve fibers are exposed, the messages that travel along those nerve fibers are blocked or slowed down.
Researchers don’t know why MS develops in some people and not in others. What they do know is that a combination of genetics and environmental factors is to blame.
Risk factors linked to MS are:
There is no single test that can confirm a person has PsA or MS so, doctors will employ a variety of different methods to figure out what is causing your symptoms.
Diagnosing PsA starts with looking for telltale signs of the condition. This includes inflammation of one or more joints, tendon inflammation, swollen fingers and toes, spinal inflammation, and nail and skin symptoms. In addition, your doctor will ask about any family history of PsA or psoriasis or personal history of psoriasis.
Blood work that can help diagnose PsA includerheumatoid factor(RF) andanti-cyclic citrullinated peptide(anti-CCP) antibody testing. RF is a protein found in the blood of people with rheumatoid arthritis. RF and anti-CCP testing in people with PsA will be negative.
X-rays of the hands and feet might also be done to look for any bone or joint damage that may have occurred early on with PsA. PsA often causes bone erosion and joint damage that is not seen with other rheumatic conditions.
Your doctor might request additional tests and blood work to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms, especially if they are still unsure of your diagnosis.
A diagnosis of MS relies on ruling out other conditions that might cause similar signs and symptoms. Your doctor will likely start with getting a detailed medical history and physical examination that includes:
Your doctor will also request additional testing, including:
Both PsA and MS are lifelong conditions without a cure. Treatment for both conditions can help manage symptoms, slow down disease progression, prevent complications, and improve your quality of life.
Treatment for PsA focuses on controlling inflammation to prevent joint damage and control skin symptoms. A treatment plan will depend on how severe your disease is and what joints are affected. You may need to try different treatments before you find one that manages your symptoms of PsA.
Medications your doctor might prescribe for PsA include:
Many medicines can help people with MS to manage the effects of their disease. It is important to work closely with your doctor to find the best treatment plan that works for you and causes the least side effects.
Medicines used to treat MS include:
Your doctor may also recommend treatments to manage specific symptoms, including:
Physical therapy and occupational therapy can also help manage symptoms of MS. A trained healthcare professional can show you how to exercise to stay active. They can also teach you how to use assistive devices, such as a cane or walker, so you can get around more easily.
Lifestyle Disease Management
People with PsA and MS can benefit from making healthy lifestyle choices. These might include:
PsA and MS are not preventable diseases. If you have a family history of PsA, MS, or another autoimmune disease, ask your doctor to help you identify risk factors for these conditions.
With PsA, researchers know that some people have a higher risk for the condition, but there is no treatment or tool to prevent a person from getting PsA. Much like PsA, the development of MS cannot be predicted or stopped. However, it is possible to slow down disease progression in both conditions and prevent flare-ups.
Summary
Psoriatic arthritis and multiple sclerosis are both autoimmune diseases that result when the immune system malfunctions and attacks healthy tissues. In PsA, the immune system attacks skin and joints, and with MS, those attacks are directed toward the myelin sheath, the protective covering on nerve fibers of the brain, spinal cord, and eyes.
There is no cure for PsA or MS, and both conditions will get worse with time. Early diagnosis and aggressive treatment are vital to slowing down disease progression and reducing the potential for complications of these conditions.
A Word From Verywell
If you are diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis or multiple sclerosis, make sure you check in with your treating doctor regularly. PsA and MS are aggressive conditions and need strong medicines to reduce the potential for serious complications.
These conditions can also affect the organs, especially the eyes, so be sure to discuss your risk for other conditions, their symptoms, and preventive measures. It is important to work with a rheumatologist (a specialist in conditions affecting the joints and the musculoskeletal system) and other specialists to manage PsA or MS. This is the best way to improve your prognosis and maintain quality of life.
16 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ogdie A, Weiss P.The epidemiology of psoriatic arthritis.Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2015;41(4):545-568. doi:10.1016/j.rdc.2015.07.001National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriasis statistics. Updated October 8, 2020.Kaisey M, Solomon AJ, Luu M, Giesser BS, Sicotte NL.Incidence of multiple sclerosis misdiagnosis in referrals to two academic centers.Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2019 May;30:51-56. doi:10.1016/j.msard.2019.01.048National Multiple Sclerosis Society.MS prevalence.Medline Plus.Autoimmune disorders. Updated November 2, 2021.Ogdie A, Gelfand JM.Clinical risk factors for the development of psoriatic arthritis among patients with psoriasis: a review of available evidence.Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2015;17(10):64. doi:10.1007/s11926-015-0540-1Cleveland Clinic.Psoriatic arthritis. Updated November 29, 2019.Taan M, Al Ahmad F, Ercksousi MK, Hamza G.Risk factors associated with multiple sclerosis: a case-control study in Damascus, Syria.Mult Scler Int. 2021;2021:8147451. Published 2021 Jun 1. doi:10.1155/2021/8147451National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Who gets MS?Belasco J, Wei N.Psoriatic arthritis: what is happening at the joint?.Rheumatol Ther. 2019;6(3):305-315. doi:10.1007/s40744-019-0159-1National Multiple Sclerosis Society.How MS is diagnosed.Gul M, Jafari AA, Shah M, et al.Molecular biomarkers in multiple sclerosis and its related disorders: a critical review.IntJ Mol Sci.2020 Aug 21;21(17):6020. doi:10.3390/ijms21176020UpToDate.Patient information: Psoriatic arthritis (Beyond the basics). Updated July 2021.Dargahi N, Katsara M, Tselios T, et al.Multiple sclerosis: Immunopathology and treatment update.Brain Sci. 2017;7(12):78. doi:10.3390/brainsci7070078Arthritis Foundation.How stress affects arthritis.National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Emotional well-being.
16 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ogdie A, Weiss P.The epidemiology of psoriatic arthritis.Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2015;41(4):545-568. doi:10.1016/j.rdc.2015.07.001National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriasis statistics. Updated October 8, 2020.Kaisey M, Solomon AJ, Luu M, Giesser BS, Sicotte NL.Incidence of multiple sclerosis misdiagnosis in referrals to two academic centers.Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2019 May;30:51-56. doi:10.1016/j.msard.2019.01.048National Multiple Sclerosis Society.MS prevalence.Medline Plus.Autoimmune disorders. Updated November 2, 2021.Ogdie A, Gelfand JM.Clinical risk factors for the development of psoriatic arthritis among patients with psoriasis: a review of available evidence.Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2015;17(10):64. doi:10.1007/s11926-015-0540-1Cleveland Clinic.Psoriatic arthritis. Updated November 29, 2019.Taan M, Al Ahmad F, Ercksousi MK, Hamza G.Risk factors associated with multiple sclerosis: a case-control study in Damascus, Syria.Mult Scler Int. 2021;2021:8147451. Published 2021 Jun 1. doi:10.1155/2021/8147451National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Who gets MS?Belasco J, Wei N.Psoriatic arthritis: what is happening at the joint?.Rheumatol Ther. 2019;6(3):305-315. doi:10.1007/s40744-019-0159-1National Multiple Sclerosis Society.How MS is diagnosed.Gul M, Jafari AA, Shah M, et al.Molecular biomarkers in multiple sclerosis and its related disorders: a critical review.IntJ Mol Sci.2020 Aug 21;21(17):6020. doi:10.3390/ijms21176020UpToDate.Patient information: Psoriatic arthritis (Beyond the basics). Updated July 2021.Dargahi N, Katsara M, Tselios T, et al.Multiple sclerosis: Immunopathology and treatment update.Brain Sci. 2017;7(12):78. doi:10.3390/brainsci7070078Arthritis Foundation.How stress affects arthritis.National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Emotional well-being.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Ogdie A, Weiss P.The epidemiology of psoriatic arthritis.Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2015;41(4):545-568. doi:10.1016/j.rdc.2015.07.001National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriasis statistics. Updated October 8, 2020.Kaisey M, Solomon AJ, Luu M, Giesser BS, Sicotte NL.Incidence of multiple sclerosis misdiagnosis in referrals to two academic centers.Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2019 May;30:51-56. doi:10.1016/j.msard.2019.01.048National Multiple Sclerosis Society.MS prevalence.Medline Plus.Autoimmune disorders. Updated November 2, 2021.Ogdie A, Gelfand JM.Clinical risk factors for the development of psoriatic arthritis among patients with psoriasis: a review of available evidence.Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2015;17(10):64. doi:10.1007/s11926-015-0540-1Cleveland Clinic.Psoriatic arthritis. Updated November 29, 2019.Taan M, Al Ahmad F, Ercksousi MK, Hamza G.Risk factors associated with multiple sclerosis: a case-control study in Damascus, Syria.Mult Scler Int. 2021;2021:8147451. Published 2021 Jun 1. doi:10.1155/2021/8147451National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Who gets MS?Belasco J, Wei N.Psoriatic arthritis: what is happening at the joint?.Rheumatol Ther. 2019;6(3):305-315. doi:10.1007/s40744-019-0159-1National Multiple Sclerosis Society.How MS is diagnosed.Gul M, Jafari AA, Shah M, et al.Molecular biomarkers in multiple sclerosis and its related disorders: a critical review.IntJ Mol Sci.2020 Aug 21;21(17):6020. doi:10.3390/ijms21176020UpToDate.Patient information: Psoriatic arthritis (Beyond the basics). Updated July 2021.Dargahi N, Katsara M, Tselios T, et al.Multiple sclerosis: Immunopathology and treatment update.Brain Sci. 2017;7(12):78. doi:10.3390/brainsci7070078Arthritis Foundation.How stress affects arthritis.National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Emotional well-being.
Ogdie A, Weiss P.The epidemiology of psoriatic arthritis.Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2015;41(4):545-568. doi:10.1016/j.rdc.2015.07.001
National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriasis statistics. Updated October 8, 2020.
Kaisey M, Solomon AJ, Luu M, Giesser BS, Sicotte NL.Incidence of multiple sclerosis misdiagnosis in referrals to two academic centers.Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2019 May;30:51-56. doi:10.1016/j.msard.2019.01.048
National Multiple Sclerosis Society.MS prevalence.
Medline Plus.Autoimmune disorders. Updated November 2, 2021.
Ogdie A, Gelfand JM.Clinical risk factors for the development of psoriatic arthritis among patients with psoriasis: a review of available evidence.Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2015;17(10):64. doi:10.1007/s11926-015-0540-1
Cleveland Clinic.Psoriatic arthritis. Updated November 29, 2019.
Taan M, Al Ahmad F, Ercksousi MK, Hamza G.Risk factors associated with multiple sclerosis: a case-control study in Damascus, Syria.Mult Scler Int. 2021;2021:8147451. Published 2021 Jun 1. doi:10.1155/2021/8147451
National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Who gets MS?
Belasco J, Wei N.Psoriatic arthritis: what is happening at the joint?.Rheumatol Ther. 2019;6(3):305-315. doi:10.1007/s40744-019-0159-1
National Multiple Sclerosis Society.How MS is diagnosed.
Gul M, Jafari AA, Shah M, et al.Molecular biomarkers in multiple sclerosis and its related disorders: a critical review.IntJ Mol Sci.2020 Aug 21;21(17):6020. doi:10.3390/ijms21176020
UpToDate.Patient information: Psoriatic arthritis (Beyond the basics). Updated July 2021.
Dargahi N, Katsara M, Tselios T, et al.Multiple sclerosis: Immunopathology and treatment update.Brain Sci. 2017;7(12):78. doi:10.3390/brainsci7070078
Arthritis Foundation.How stress affects arthritis.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Emotional well-being.
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