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Psoriatic Arthritis

What Happens if Psoriatic Arthritis Goes Untreated?

Psoriatic arthritis may start with more mild symptoms at times, but it can progress.

Lauren Smith, MAMandy Armitage, MD
Written by Lauren Smith, MA | Reviewed by Mandy Armitage, MD
Updated on January 15, 2026
Featuring Elizabeth Schulman, MDReviewed by Mandy Armitage, MD | January 15, 2026

The joint pain caused by psoriatic arthritis (PsA) can be very painful on its own. Some people find that it prevents them from fully participating in life. It may be painful to engage in their usual activities, to exercise, to go to work, or to even get out of bed.

However, without treatment, PsA can cause even more problems. Treatment for PsA aims not only to reduce PsA symptoms, but also to reduce the risk of complications caused by uncontrolled inflammation in the body.

References

American College of Rheumatology. (2023). Psoriatic arthritis.

Arthritis Foundation. (2022). Psoriatic arthritis and your heart

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Lauren Smith, MA
Written by:
Lauren Smith, MA
Lauren Smith, MA, has worked in health journalism since 2017. Before joining GoodRx, she was the senior health editor and writer for HealthiNation.
Mandy Armitage, MD
Reviewed by:
Mandy Armitage, MD
Mandy Armitage, MD, has combined clinical medicine with her passion for education and content development for many years. She served as medical director for the health technology companies HealthLoop (now Get Well) and Doximity.

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