First-ever psoriatic arthritis program in the country kicks off in Oregon

PORTLAND, Ore., Oct. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For the first-time ever, the Portland-based National Psoriasis Foundation and the Arthritis Foundation will partner to educate Americans about psoriatic arthritis, a chronic autoimmune disease that affects roughly 27,000 Oregonians. To emphasis the importance of early diagnosis and treatment, the Psoriasis Foundation and Arthritis Foundation present the first psoriatic arthritis-specific program—Be Joint Smart—in select cities this fall, kicking off in Portland on Saturday, Oct. 20. Learn more at www.bejointsmart.org.

Psoriatic arthritis—an inflammatory disease that causes pain, swelling and stiffness of the joints and tendons—affects up to 30 percent of people with psoriasis on the skin. As many as 2 million Americans currently are diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. However, National Psoriasis Foundation research reveals that nearly one in four people with psoriasis may have undiagnosed psoriatic arthritis. Early diagnosis and treatment of the disease is critical to prevent long-term joint damage and disability.

Through the Be Joint Smart live events, a leading dermatologist and rheumatologist will give an in-depth presentation on psoriatic arthritis, its treatments, tips for a healthy lifestyle and ways to minimize symptoms and limit long-term joint damage. Participants will learn how to set achievable, realistic goals from the National Psoriasis Foundation and an Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program Leader will teach easy exercises to get people moving and to be joint smart.

To learn more about Be Joint Smart Portland and to register, visit: www.bejointsmart.org/events/portland, call 800.723.9144 or email [email protected].

About the National Psoriasis Foundation
National Psoriasis Foundation is the world's largest nonprofit organization serving people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Our mission is to find a cure for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and to eliminate their devastating effects through research, advocacy and education. For more information, call the Psoriasis Foundation, headquartered in Portland, Ore., at 800.723.9166, or visit www.psoriasis.org. Follow the Psoriasis Foundation on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE National Psoriasis Foundation

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