Knowledgebase - Indiana Polyclinic

Treating Psoriatic Arthritis

Details: Published: Friday, 14 September 2018 15:48

The Emerging Role of Stem Cell Therapy in Treating Psoriatic Arthritis

Over 3 million Americans each year develop psoriasis. Currently, there are tens of millions of people around the world struggling with this autoimmune-related skin condition, which usually presents with patches of raised, red, itchy skin. However, for some of those sufferers, the condition can be just the beginning. It can cause deeper issues, such as psoriatic arthritis.

What Is Psoriatic Arthritis?

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, it’s important for people with psoriasis to pay attention to their joints.

“Some people who have psoriasis get a type of arthritis called psoriatic arthritis. This arthritis often begins with a few swollen joints. A single finger or toe may be noticeably swollen. Some people feel stiff when they wake up. As they move around, the stiffness fades.”

For most people, psoriatic arthritis develops somewhere between the ages of 30 and 50, but usually only after having had psoriasis for between five and 12 years. With that being said, some people will develop arthritis early, and some will experience it with the onset of psoriasis. A very small subset of the population will experience psoriatic arthritis before psoriasis is even noticed.

Common Causes of Psoriatic Arthritis

The National Psoriasis Foundation points out that up to 30% of those who suffer with psoriasis will ultimately develop psoriatic arthritis. In all of those cases, the cause is the underlying psoriasis itself, which means it is a result of an autoimmune condition. However, the Arthritis Foundation points out that the disease can lie dormant for years at a time. Sometimes, rather than developing on its own, it only shows up after a traumatic event, such as a major infection, or a surgical procedure. In other situations, it is suspected (but not proven) that skin-borne bacteria may cause the flareup.

Understanding the Symptoms of Psoriatic Arthritis

To truly understand the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, it’s important to understand the many different types. There are five, including the following:

Symmetric – This type is responsible for 50% of all cases, and it means that joints on both sides of the body are affected.
Asymmetric – This is a less common type, and the joints on just one side of the body will be affected.
Distal – In this situation, only the fingers and toes are affected, and nails may experience pitting or spotting.
Spondylitis – This is type of spinal arthritis that results in pain and stiffness in the back and neck.
Arthritis Mutilans – The rarest type, this form of arthritis can lead to complete destruction of the joints near the ends of the fingers and toes.

The actual symptoms experienced by the patient will vary depending on the type of psoriatic arthritis they suffer. Some of the most common include:

Reduced range of motion
Stiffness
Difficulty moving/bending joints
Redness and swelling
Changes in nail shape and texture
General fatigue
Swollen fingers and toes
Swelling over tendons

Conventional Treatment Options

A wide range of treatment options exists for those suffering from psoriatic arthritis. We’ll run through some of the most common below.

Medication: A number of different medications can be used to help manage the pain and other symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, including over the counter pain medications (NSAIDS), as well as corticosteroids, injectable biologics, and methotrexate to help reduce swelling (note that this also treats psoriasis). Immunosuppression is the most reliable way of conventional psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis treatment.
Therapeutic: Massage therapy can be an important treatment option that helps to reduce pain and inflammation. Physical therapy can also help patients adapt to living with the condition.
Surgery: Surgery is generally reserved as the last course of action. In most cases, this is only available to those who need complete joint replacement, although patients who do not see any relief from medications may also benefit.
Protective Devices: Protective devices include things like splints and braces, which render the affected area immobile while also helping to protect against pain from impact with hard surfaces.

How Stem Cells May Be Able to Treat the Condition

Stem cells are being investigated for use in treating an incredibly wide range of conditions. Because these cells are the building blocks of the body itself, and also form the foundation of the human body’s ability to heal and regenerate, they are proving incredibly beneficial in treating dangerous health conditions. It is especially true because stem cells are powerful immune normalizers. That includes both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. While all steps forward have been made in clinical studies and laboratory settings, the results so far have been impressive.

In late 2017, the World Journal of Stem Cells published a study conducted using umbilical cord-derived stem cells to treat a patient with psoriatic arthritis. The patient was 56 years old with symptoms that did not change with conventional treatments.

The study authors report,

“A trial of human umbilical cord stem cell therapy was then initiated. The stem cells were enriched and concentrated from whole cord blood, by removal of erythrocytes and centrifugation. The patient received several infusions of cord blood stem cells, through intravenous and inter-articular injections. These stem cell treatments correlated with remission of symptoms (joint pain and psoriatic plaques), and normalized serologic results for the inflammatory markers C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. These improvements were noted with the first 30 days post-treatment and were sustained for more than one year.”

The authors sum up by stating,

“The results of this trial suggest that cord blood stem cells may have important therapeutic value for patients with psoriatic arthritis, particularly for those who cannot tolerate standard treatments.”

A similar study was published in the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases as early as 2006. However, this study relied not on cord-blood derived stem cells (allogeneic) as the study above did, but on the patient’s own stem cells (autologous).

Allogeneic stem cells offer key advantages not found with stem cells derived from the patient’s body, including better energy, longer lifespans, and better regenerative capabilities, all coupled with a lack of negative immune system response.

In the End

When everything is said and done, stem cell therapy almost certainly holds enormous promise for helping those suffering from psoriatic arthritis. However, the FDA has not approved any such treatment, and all stem cell therapies are considered presently experimental and investigational.

Source:

https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/painful-skin-joints/psoriatic-arthritis#treatment
https://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriatic-arthritis
https://www.webmd.com/arthritis/psoriatic-arthritis/default.htm
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/psoriatic-arthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354076
https://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/types/psoriatic-arthritis/what-is-psoriatic-arthritis.php
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1798128/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5746644/

Treating Premature Menopause

Details: Published: Monday, 10 September 2018 11:07

Understanding the Potential Role of Stem Cells in Premature Menopause Treatment

Menopause is a natural process – it marks the end of a woman’s fertile, child-bearing years. Thankfully, for most women, this change does not come until around the age of 51. Of course, it does not occur at the same age for all women. Some women go through menopause during their 40s – this is called early menopause. For some women, it can happen even earlier. Whether this is natural, or is induced, it is called premature menopause.

Stem Cell Treatment for Macular Degeneration: How Stem Cells May Help Halt the Leading Cause of Vision Loss in Seniors

Details: Published: Friday, 07 September 2018 09:00

Humans are a vision-oriented species. Yes, we possess five full senses, but our eyes are the most important of our sensory organs. In fact, a major percentage of our brains is allocated to processing information from our eyes. Macular degeneration is the name given to the usually slow loss of vision that affects us as we age. According to the American Optometric Association,

“Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of severe vision loss in adults over age 50. The CDC estimates that 1.8 million people have AMD and another 7.3 million are at a substantial risk for vision loss from AMD.”

Stem Cell Therapy and Food Allergies: Retraining the Immune System

Details: Published: Tuesday, 04 September 2018 08:00

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, over 50 million Americans suffer with some sort of food-related allergy. This could be something as deadly as a peanut or shellfish allergy, or something as common as lactose intolerance. Symptoms of food allergies and intolerances are most common in babies and young children, and some disappear with age. However, allergies can appear at any time, and can also grow worse as we age.

Spinal Stenosis and Stem Cell Therapy: Understanding the Value of Emerging Treatments for Spine Health

Details: Published: Friday, 31 August 2018 08:00

Spinal Stenosis and Stem Cell Therapy. Emerging Treatments for Spine Health

Our spines are responsible for our ability to stand upright, but they do so much more. Without a healthy spine, moving and even just standing can be painful or difficult. Injuries to the spine, even seemingly-minor ones, can have long-lasting, major impacts on our quality of life. Those injuries may not come from an outside source in some cases.

Celiac Disease and Stem Cell Therapy

Details: Published: Monday, 27 August 2018 06:00

It seems like a new food-related bad guy comes along every decade or so. In the past, it was fat. Then it was cholesterol. Then it was carbohydrates. Today, it seems like more and more people are cutting gluten out of their diets, whether they experience any negative health effects from eating gluten-containing products or not. While removing gluten from your diet might be the current dietary fad, there are some people who have a medical reason for doing so. Sufferers of celiac disease cannot eat gluten, or they suffer a host of negative symptoms and side effects.

COPD: How Stem Cells May Hold Hope for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Sufferers

Details: Published: Friday, 24 August 2018 08:00

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Lung diseases are among the most common of human afflictions, but also some of the most frightening that can affect an individual. These include everything from asthma to lung cancer. However, for a growing segment of the population, the most frightening condition is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD.

Articular Cartilage Damage and the Potential of Stem Cells

Details: Published: Wednesday, 22 August 2018 10:13

The human body is a marvel of design both externally and internally. Take the joints between our long bones, for example. The knee is a good illustration, but the elbow works as well. Here, you have large, heavy bones that come together, and must work with one another to ensure motility for the appendage (the leg or the arm).

Parkinson’s Disease: Potential Healing from Stem Cell Therapy

Details: Published: Friday, 10 August 2018 09:00

With over 200,000 new cases in America alone each year, Parkinson’s disease is a common threat. The disease can begin innocuously enough with a slight tremor in just one hand. However, it can progress from that into a disease that radically reduces an individual’s quality of life. However, that progression may be slow, or it may be very quick.

Understanding Degenerative Disc Disease of the Neck and How Stem Cell Therapy May Help

Details: Published: Tuesday, 07 August 2018 09:00

Degenerative disc disease of the neck, also called cervical disc disease, is actually a form of arthritis that affects the portion of the spine that forms the neck, down to the beginning of the thoracic spine. This condition may be unnoticed at first, but pain and discomfort will begin and then increase over time. In most cases, it is due to simple wear and tear, and the body’s inability to heal the damage caused over time.

Conventional Anti-Aging Treatments vs. Stem Cell Treatment: Understanding Efficacy, Safety, and the Duration of Benefits

Details: Published: Friday, 03 August 2018 09:50

No one is able to avoid all of the physical signs of aging. First, fine lines form, then laugh lines, and crow’s feet. Eventually, deeper wrinkles appear on our faces, foreheads, and even our arms and legs. Skin loses its elasticity, age spots develop, and our bodies begin to sag.

Ankylosing Spondylitis: Treatments and Emerging Solutions Including Stem Cell Therapy

Details: Published: Monday, 30 July 2018 12:15

Every year, over 200,000 additional people in the United States are diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis – a painful condition that affects the spine. Ultimately, this condition can last for a lifetime without proper treatment, and it can be incredibly debilitating.

What Is Ankylosing Spondylitis?

Treating Myasthenia Gravis with Stem Cell Therapy

Details: Published: Monday, 09 July 2018 14:09

While relatively rare, myasthenia gravis affects millions of people around the world. Also called MG, myasthenia gravis is a condition marked by overall fatigue and weakness, as well as a loss of control over muscles. While there are treatment options available, there is currently no cure for MG, and many of the treatments available offer only limited effectiveness. However, stem cell therapy for myasthenia gravis may offer a solution that delivers much better effectiveness, and potentially a full reversal.

The Potential for Stem Cell Therapy to Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis

Details: Published: Wednesday, 04 July 2018 13:58

Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is one of the most debilitating forms of arthritis. It affects tens of millions of Americans, as well as people around the world. It’s a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect every joint in the body, but is particularly prevalent in those within the hands and feet. In some cases, RA can even affect the body’s internal organs. There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis – only treatments that offer varying levels of control over the disease and its symptoms. However, stem cell therapy may be a new, more effective solution.

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Stem Cells and the Aging Process: What You Should Know

Details: Published: Sunday, 01 July 2018 13:25

Aging – it’s the boogeyman many of us fear above all others. The fear of aging, and its effects on the human body, has spawned an incredibly diverse, multi-billion dollar industry that runs the gamut from hair dye to wrinkle removing creams, and even plastic surgery. There’s a new option available that promises to be even more effective than surgery, without the need to go under the knife – stem cells.

Stem cells can be used to provide an anti-aging treatment, and may eventually help us turn back the clock on our bodies entirely, not just reduce the signs of time’s passage. What should you know about stem cells and their anti-aging capabilities?

Stem Cells and Skin Rejuvenation: Revealing a More Youthful You

Details: Published: Wednesday, 27 June 2018 13:12

Wouldn’t it be nice if we were able to age slowly and gracefully? Instead, it is marked with the development of lines around our eyes and mouths, with the appearance of age spots on our faces, arms and hands, with sagging, soft skin and more.

It does not have to be that way, though. Stem cell treatments promise to revolutionize the anti-aging industry, providing powerful tools for skin rejuvenation. Is this treatment option right for you, though? What should you know about it?

Stem Cells and Lung Diseases: Understanding Emerging Treatment Options

Details: Published: Monday, 25 June 2018 10:35

Tens of millions of Americans suffer from some form of lung disease. These chronic conditions rob them of their quality of life, and may eventually lead to death. While a number of treatment options can be used to slow the advance of these diseases, there is no cure. However, stem cell therapy may be able to offer a ray of hope.

What Are Lung Diseases?

Stem Cells and Endometriosis: Combatting the Pain and Building a Better Life

Details: Published: Wednesday, 20 June 2018 10:28

Endometriosis affects millions of women around the world. It causes pain and discomfort, and for a significant number of women, it can also lead to infertility. While there are treatment options, few of these are permanent, and there is no true cure. Stem cell therapy is being researched as a potential solution to endometriosis and the pain it can cause, helping women to lead a healthier, happier life.

What Is Endometriosis?

Stem Cells and Atopic Dermatitis: An Effective Treatment Option Offering Relief for Sufferers

Details: Published: Monday, 18 June 2018 10:18

Atopic dermatitis, more commonly known as eczema, affects tens of millions of Americans. In fact, a population-based survey of the US found that 31.6 million people in the country suffered from the condition. While it is more common in children than adults, it can present at any age. It’s also usually a chronic condition that persists for years, or even a lifetime, and there is no cure. However, stem cell therapy may offer an alternative treatment option for suffers.

What Is Atopic Dermatitis?

Stem Cell Treatment and Myocardial Infarction: Hope and Help for Heart Attack Victims

Details: Published: Wednesday, 13 June 2018 10:14

Myocardial infarction – heart attack – is no longer quite as wide-spread a killer as it once was, thanks to better medical technology, and a better understanding of how this condition arises. However, the fact is that patients who experience a heart attack are much more likely to die prematurely, usually due to complications arising from the development of scar tissue (infarct) from the heart attack. Stem cell therapy may be able to offer a way to reduce, or even reverse that scar tissue.