Assistant Professor Aslı Bilgiç
Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey and EADV member
Professor Dedee F. Murrell
Department of Dermatology, St George Hospital, Sydney, Australia and EADV member
Psoriasis has become the most researched disease in the field of dermatology. There is now hope for new treatments to help manage the symptoms and improve the quality of life for people living with the disease.
Psoriasis is a life-long, chronic condition characterised by red, flaky patches of skin covered in silvery scales. These patches, which are caused by an increase in skin cell production, can occur anywhere but often appear on elbows, knees, scalp and lower back.
Prevalence
Psoriasis affects 1.5% – 3% of the population and can occur at any age but about a third of cases start to show before the age of 15. Most cases are mild, but in about 15% of sufferers it can be more severe, requiring constant monitoring and treatment and causing other conditions to occur.1 The most common comorbidity of psoriasis is arthritis, but evidence has emerged suggesting a risk of obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and cardiovascular disease.2
The stigma of psoriasis
Psoriasis is not contagious, although research by the European Academy of Dermatology Venereology (EADV) has shown that people with the condition may experience negative social consequences and it can impact a significant proportion of people’s personal and professional life. Research shows an increase in depression, anxiety, low confidence and even suicide.3 Alcohol and tobacco addictions are also more common compared to the general population.4
Major progress has been made within the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis, with the introduction of biologic injections which have been proven to be safe and highly efficient.
Research and treatment
There is no cure right now, although there are treatments to help manage symptoms and new therapies are constantly being developed. Psoriasis has become the most researched disease in the field of dermatology, along with melanoma and new therapeutic options are constantly being developed. There are more treatment options for psoriasis than for any other skin disease and more continue to be developed as dermatologists continue their research.
Major progress has been made within the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis, with the introduction of biologic injections which have been proven to be safe and highly efficient.
Managing symptoms
Many cases of psoriasis are mild however, there are simple changes people can make to their lifestyle to help manage symptoms and lower the risk of developing another condition.
A low-calorie diet that is rich in fatty acids such as oily fish and avoiding processed foods and too much red meat is recommended.5 However, additional vitamin supplements or products have not been shown to make any difference.
With continued research into psoriasis, we believe new treatments will allow this condition to be even better managed in the near future.
[1] Pathirana D, Ormerod AD, Saiag P, Smith C, Spuls PI, Nast A, et al. European S3-guidelines on the systemic treatment of psoriasis vulgaris. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2009 Oct;23 Suppl 2:1-70. Erratum in: J Eur AcadDermatol Venereol 2010;24(1):117-8
[2] Takeshita J, Grewal S, Langan SM, Mehta NN, Ogdie A, Van Voorhees AS, Gelfand JM. Psoriasis and comorbid diseases: Epidemiology. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017;76(3):377-390.).
[3] Nicholas MN, Gooderham M. Psoriasis, Depression, and Suicidality. Skin Therapy Lett. 2017;22(3):1-4.
[4] Alpsoy E, Polat M, FettahlıoGlu-Karaman B, Karadag AS, Kartal-Durmazlar P, YalCın B, Emre S, Didar-Balcı D, Bilgic-Temel A, Arca E, Koca R, Gunduz K, Borlu M, Ergun T, Dogruk-Kacar S, Cordan-Yazici A, Dursun P, BilgiC O, Gunes-Bilgili S, Sendur N, Baysal O, Halil-Yavuz I, Yagcioglu G, Yilmaz E, Kavuzlu U, Senol Y. Internalized stigma in psoriasis: A multicenter study. J Dermatol. 2017;44(8):885-891.
[5] Wolters M. Diet and psoriasis: experimental data and clinical evidence. Br J Dermatol 2005,153:706-14.
