What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that most often presents as a red, scaly rash. It’s frequently autoimmune in nature, and tends to impact those with a genetic predisposition to the disease. Some 2-3% of adults (roughly 6.7 million people worldwide) are believed to be affected by the condition, however, it is more common among Caucasian populations, with as much as 11% of them experiencing symptoms 1 Psoriasis Pathogenesis and Treatment Rendon, A., & Schäkel, K. (2019). Psoriasis Pathogenesis and Treatment. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 20(6), 1475. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20061475 Rendon, A., & Schäkel, K. 2 Prevalence of Psoriasis among Adults in the U.S.: 2003-2006 and 2009-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys Helmick, C. G., Lee-Han, H., Hirsch, S. C., Baird, T. L., & Bartlett, C. L. (2014). Prevalence of Psoriasis among Adults in the U.S.: 2003-2006 and 2009-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 47(1), 37–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2014.02.012 Helmick, C. G., Lee-Han, H., Hirsch, S. C., Baird, T. L., & Bartlett, C. L. .
There are four main types of psoriasis, with plaque psoriasis (the red, scaly rash, most often associated with the disease) being the most common presentation, impacting 90% of psoriasis patients. Psoriatic arthritis, presenting as psoriatic inflammation of the joints, can be a comorbidity, presenting in about 40% of psoriasis patients 1 Psoriasis Pathogenesis and Treatment Rendon, A., & Schäkel, K. (2019). Psoriasis Pathogenesis and Treatment. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 20(6), 1475. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20061475 Rendon, A., & Schäkel, K. .
Psoriasis can be painful. And because it is a condition that is often difficult to hide, it can also be embarrassing for those who suffer from it. Patients with psoriasis have an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation – though treating psoriasis has been found to ease anxiety symptoms 3 The prevalence of anxiety in patients with psoriasis: a systematic review of observational studies and clinical trials. Fleming P, Bai JW, Pratt M, Sibbald C, Lynde C, Gulliver WP. The prevalence of anxiety in patients with psoriasis: a systematic review of observational studies and clinical trials. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2017;31(5):798-807. doi:10.1111/jdv.13891 Fleming P, Bai JW, Pratt M, Sibbald C, Lynde C, Gulliver WP 4 IDI Multipurpose Psoriasis Research on Vital Experiences (IMPROVE) investigators. Sampogna F, Tabolli S, Abeni D; IDI Multipurpose Psoriasis Research on Vital Experiences (IMPROVE) investigators. Living with psoriasis: prevalence of shame, anger, worry, and problems in daily activities and social life. Acta Derm Venereol. 2012;92(3):299-303. doi:10.2340/00015555-1273 Sampogna F, Tabolli S, Abeni D .
There are a variety of treatment options available for psoriasis patients, depending on the severity of their condition. For patients with a mild to moderate presentation, a combination of glucocorticoids, vitamin D analogues, and phototherapy can often help. More severe cases may require systemic therapies, such as biologic drugs 1 Psoriasis Pathogenesis and Treatment Rendon, A., & Schäkel, K. (2019). Psoriasis Pathogenesis and Treatment. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 20(6), 1475. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20061475 Rendon, A., & Schäkel, K. . These are immune-suppressive and can have undesirable side effects, such as an increase in infections and liver function abnormalities 5 Risks and benefits of biologic therapy for inflammatory bowel diseases. D’Haens G. (2007). Risks and benefits of biologic therapy for inflammatory bowel diseases. Gut, 56(5), 725–732. https://doi.org/10.1136/gut.2006.103564 D’Haens G. . Because psoriasis is a chronic condition, recurrence is always a risk, even after successful treatment 1 Psoriasis Pathogenesis and Treatment Rendon, A., & Schäkel, K. (2019). Psoriasis Pathogenesis and Treatment. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 20(6), 1475. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms20061475 Rendon, A., & Schäkel, K. .