The German guideline for the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris was updated using GRADE methodology. The guideline is based on a systematic literature review completed on December 1, 2016, and on a formal consensus and approval process. The first section of this short version of the guideline covers systemic treatment options considered relevant by the expert panel and approved in Germany at the time of the consensus conference (acitretin, adalimumab, apremilast, cyclosporine, etanercept, fumaric acid esters, infliximab, methotrexate, secukinumab and ustekinumab). Detailed information is provided on the management and monitoring of the included treatment options.

Patients in PsoBest represent patients with a high burden of disease.

Background Though patient needs are key drivers of treatment decisions, they are rarely systematically investigated in routine care.Objective This study aimed at analysing needs and expectations from the patient perspective in the German and Swiss psoriasis registries PsoBest and Swiss Dermatology Network of Targeted Therapies (SDNTT) with respect to treatment choice, age and gender.Methods The German and Swiss psoriasis registries observe patients recruited at first-time use of systemic drugs.Within 10 years, clinical [Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI), Body Surface Area (BSA)] and patient-reported outcomes are documented, including the Dermatology Quality of Life Index (DLQI) and the Patient Benefit Index (PBI), characterizing patient needs for treatment. The analysis data set includes n = 4894 patients from PsoBest and n = 449 from SDNTT with mean follow-up time of 7.5 months.Results A total of 5343 patients registered between 2008 and 2016 were included in the analyses (at baseline: 59.6% male, mean age 47.6 years AE 14.5, PASI 14.2 AE 9.7, BSA 22.7 AE 19.7, DLQI 11.3 AE 7.2). The most important patient needs were to 'get better skin quickly' and to 'be healed of all skin defects'.Subgroup analyses by age revealed significant differences in needs, especially higher needs regarding social impairments in patients younger than 65 years.Patients 65 years or older attributed more importance to sleep quality, less dependency on medical visits, fewer sideeffects and confidence in the therapy. Out of 25 items reflecting patient needs, 20 items were rated significantly more important by women than men, with the greatest differences regarding feeling of depression, sleep quality and everyday productivity. Divided by treatment, needs were rated differently, recommending individualized and targeted choice of therapy.Conclusion Age and gender stratify patient needs. Women showed higher expectations and rated specific needs in psoriasis treatment higher than men. Analysing the patient needs on an individual level will facilitate shared decisions by patient and physician in finding the optimal personalized treatment.

Summary The present guidelines are aimed at residents and board‐certified physicians in the fields of dermatology, pediatrics, pediatric dermatology and pediatric rheumatology as well as policymakers and insurance funds. They were developed by dermatologists and pediatric dermatologists in collaboration with pediatric rheumatologists using a formal consensus process (S2k). The guidelines highlight topics such as disease severity, quality of life, treatment goals as well as problems associated with off‐label drug therapy in children. Trigger factors and diagnostic aspects are discussed. The primary focus is on the various topical, systemic and UV‐based treatment options available and includes recommendations for use and treatment algorithms. Other aspects addressed herein include vaccinations in children and adolescents with psoriasis as well as various disease subtypes such as guttate psoriasis, diaper psoriasis, pustular psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Finally, we also provide recommendations for imaging studies and the diagnostic workup to rule out tuberculosis prior to initiating systemic treatment. Note: This article constitutes part 2 of the Sk2 guidelines for the treatment of psoriasis in children and adolescents. Part 1 was published in last month's issue. It contained introductory remarks and addressed aspects of diagnosis and topical treatment.

With respect to screening for comorbidities in psoriasis, standardized and consented algorithms are available, which - on national level - may be implemented as a screening tool within the framework of PsoNet - German Psoriasis Networks.

Background: We report the study of an intensified dosing schedule of subcutaneous methotrexate (MTX) in patients with moderate-tosevere psoriasis. Methods: In this prospective, double-blind, multicentre phase 3 study (METOP) eligible patients were 18 years or older with a diagnosis of chronic plaque psoriasis at least 6 months before baseline, had a psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) of 10 or more or 10% or greater body-surface area involvement or a dermatology life quality index (DLQI) of 10 or more and were naïve to treatment with MTX. Participants were randomly assigned 3:1 by computer-generated random sequence integrated in the electronic data capture system to receive either MTX at a starting dose of 17.5 mg/week or placebo for the first 16 weeks, followed by openlabel MTX treatment of all patients up to 52 weeks (MTX/MTX and PLC/MTX groups, respectively). Dose escalation to 22.5 mg/week was allowed after 8 weeks of MTX therapy if patients failed to achieve an at least 50% improvement of their baseline PASI (PASI50); blinding was maintained by a corresponding volume increase of placebo injections. Treatment was combined with folic acid 5 mg/week. The primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving a PASI75 response at week 16 analysed by intention to treat with non-responder imputation. This study is registered with the European Medicines Agency, EudraCT number 2012-002716-10. Findings: Between February 2013 and May 2015 120 patients were randomly assigned to receive subcutaneous MTX (n=91) or placebo (n=29). The primary endpoint was met; the PASI75 response rate at week 16 was 41% (n=37) in the MTX group compared to 10% (n=3) in the placebo group [p=0.0026; effect size 30.3% (95% CI 15.3-45.3) MTX vs placebo]. Subcutaneous MTX was generally well tolerated; no cases of serious infections, malignancies, major adverse cardiovascular events or deaths were noted. Serious adverse events were observed in 3 patients started on MTX during the 52-week study period. Interpretation: The study documents a favourable 52-week benefit-risk profile of subcutaneous MTX in psoriasis. The route of administration and the intensified dosing schedule should be considered when using MTX in patients with psoriasis. Role of the funding source (see also below)The study was an investigator-initiated trial supported by a grant from Medac to K.R. Manuscript 2 SummaryBackground: We report the study of an intensified dosing schedule of subcutaneous methotrexate (MTX) in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis.

ZusammenfassungDie topische Behandlung der Psoriasis und ihrer Sonderformen hat einen hohen Stellenwert im Praxisalltag. Sie ist Therapiestandard bei leichter Psoriasis und wird unterstützend auch bei mittelschwerer bis schwerer Psoriasis eingesetzt. Bei der Optimierung der Behandlung der Psoriasis spielt neben den geeigneten Wirkstoffen auch die Wahl der Galenik eine entscheidende Rolle. Die Weiterentwicklungen in diesem Bereich wurden in der 2017 publizierten Aktualisierung der S3‐Leitlinie nicht berücksichtigt. Der vorliegende Behandlungspfad wurde im Rahmen der PsoNet‐­Sprecherkonferenz erarbeitet und durch die nationale Versorgungskonferenz Psoriasis bestätigt. Er stellt eine Illustration der aktuellen Optionen dar. Die Fachinformationen der genannten Präparate sind dabei stets zu berücksichtigen.Die Festlegung von Therapiezielen mit dem Patienten ist obligat und adhärenzsteigernd. Dabei sollten die persönlichen Präferenzen und Vorerfahrungen des Patienten berücksichtigt werden. Goldstandard in der Initialphase ist die Fixkombination aus Calcipotriol (Cal) 50 μg/g und Betamethason‐Dipropionat (Bet) 0,5 mg/g 1x täglich über vier bis acht Wochen. Als Darreichungsform ist der Schaum am effektivsten, wobei die individuelle Wahl der Grundlage auch nach Patientenpräferenz erfolgen sollte.In der Erhaltungsphase hat sich die 1–2x wöchentliche (proaktive) Anwendung dieser Fixkombination bewährt. In zweiter Linie können auch Vitamin D3 Analoga (Calcipotriol, Tacalcitol) und topische Corticosteroide als Monotherapie zur Anwendung kommen. Eine begleitende wirkstofffreie topische Basistherapie sollte regelhaft empfohlen werden. Bei besonderen Therapiesituationen werden spezifische Empfehlungen gegeben. Reicht eine alleinige Lokaltherapie nicht aus, sollte eine Therapieeskalation analog der S3‐Leitlinie zur Therapie der Psoriasis erfolgen.

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