BOSTON -- Millions of Americans suffer from the skin disease psoriasis, but could that put them at higher risk for developing arthritis?

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Liz Brunner Reports On Treatment

NewsCenter 5's Liz Brunner reported that psoriasis can lead to a type of arthritis that could cause permanent joint damage, according to some experts.

"I was covered (with psoriasis). The whole front of the arm was covered, the whole underside of the arm was covered, my back, my stomach, my legs all the way down," said Kathy Wetherald

For nearly 30 years, Wetherald has dealt with a severe case of psoriasis. What she didn't realize was she was also suffering from potentially irreversible damage to her joints.

"It was like a secondary issue as far as I was concerned, because I could live with the pain," she said.

According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, about 25 percent of the 4.5 million Americans diagnosed with psoriasis each year also suffer from a debilitating arthritis linked to the skin disease called psoriatic arthritis. But often the arthritis goes undiagnosed by dermatologists treating the skin disease.

"Psoriasis is more than skin deep for us," said Dr. Abrar Qureshi, a dermatologist at Brigham And Women's Hospital.

Early diagnosis is key. If left untreated, the arthritis can lead to permanent joint damage. That's why rheumatologists and dermatologists at Brigham And Women's Hospital are joining forces to screen psoriasis patients for arthritis.

"Our mission in the clinic is to treat the psoriasis, try to prevent the joint disease from causing damage in the long term," said Qureshi.

"Here Dr. Qureshi and I see the patient together, we evaluate the patient together, we discuss the diagnosis and potential treatment with the patient in front of the patient, including the patient," said rheumatologist Elinor Mody.

For Wetherald, the combined care led to medication that cleared up her psoriasis for the first time in decades and physical therapy to relieve her joint pain.

"It has cleared up beautiful. I feel totally different. I have no more pain," she said.

Brigham and Women's Dermatology Clinic is the first in Boston to provide the combined care of a dermatologist and rheumatologist. The clinic is one of the first of its kind in the country.