Psoriasis

Written by Thomas Hambridge

Psoriasis (also known as PsO) is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory disease which primarily affects the skin and joints and is characterized by scaly, erythematous plaques which are often pruritic. It is a common skin disorder with genetic underpinnings, affecting approximately 2% of the population and may also be influenced by environmental factors. In most cases, psoriasis also affects a patient’s quality of life, is often accompanied by depression and may also be associated with other inflammatory disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease, and coronary artery disease and a seronegative form of arthritis known as psoriatic arthritis. There are various treatment options available to psoriasis patients, ranging from topical steroidal based therapies, phototherapy and biological therapies which target specific immune components.

Clinical Features

Pathogenesis

Comorbidities

Cellular Characteristics

Genetics

Treatment

Epidemiology

Additional Resources

References

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  5. "Menter A, et al. - Guidelines of care for the management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. J Am Acad Dermat. 2008; 58(5):826-850"
  6. "Papp K, et al. - Apremilast, an oral phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor, in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis: Results of a phase III, randomized, controlled trial (Efficacy and Safety Trial Evaluating the Effects of Apremilast in Psoriasis [ESTEEM] 1). Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2015; 73(1): 37-49"
  7. "Krueger G - Clinical response to alefacept: results of a phase 3 study of intravenous administration of alefacept in patients with chronic plaque psoriasis. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. 2003; 17: 17–24"
  8. "Leonardi C, et al. – Extended efalizumab therapy improves chronic plaque psoriasis: Results from a randomized phase III trial. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2005; 52 (3): 425-433"
  9. "Menter A, et al. - Adalimumab therapy for moderate to severe psoriasis: A randomized, controlled phase III trial. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2008; 58(1): 106-115"
  10. "Mease PJ, et al. - Etanercept in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis: a randomised trial. The Lancet. 2000; 253(9227): 385-390"
  11. "Reich K, et al. - Infliximab induction and maintenance therapy for moderate-to-severe psoriasis: a phase III, multicentre, double-blind trial. The Lancet. 2005; 366(9494): 1367-1374"

Psoriasis in USA:

25 million people

People affected with psoriasis
in North America and Europe

years-old

The average age of
onset for psoriasis

Genes identified to be
associated with psoriasis