Long-term Treatment for Severe Psoriasis

The prevalence of previously diagnosed and undiagnosed psoriasis in US adults: Results from NHANES 2003-2004

“…First, the prevalence of self report of a health care provider diagnosis of psoriasis is statistically similar to previous estimates in the US adult population using comparable methods 9, 24 . Second, this study confirms that a substantial number of psoriasis patients suffer from disease which is severe enough to warrant systemic therapy based on current consensus statements 7, 8 . For example, about 17% have moderate to severe psoriasis based on body surface area estimates, and 25% of patients rate psoriasis as a large problem in everyday life.…”

“…More recent data has also demonstrated that psoriasis, particularly when severe, is associated with metabolic disorders, obesity, excess mortality, and may be an independent risk factor for developing atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and stroke 1–6 . The treatment paradigm of psoriasis is undergoing a revolution with the recent approval of multiple systemic psoriasis treatments and the development of consensus statements which have broadened recommendations for which patients may qualify for systemic therapy 7, 8 . Given these recent advances, it is important to understand how many patients suffer from psoriasis and which patients have disease that has substantial severity and/or impact on quality of life to warrant systemic therapy.…”

Dermatologische Aspekte der Psoriasis 2010

“…Ein erhöhtes kardiovaskuläres Risiko dieses Patientenkollektivs ist bekannt (19), weiterhin treten Diabetes mellitus, Adipositas und Hyperlipidämie gehäuft auf (36). Viele neuere Publikationen konnten in den vergangenen Jahren die Psoriasis als unabhängigen Risikofaktor für die Entstehung dieser Erkrankungen belegen, der sogar zu einer reduzierten Lebenserwartung (Männer -4,4 Jahre, Frauen -3,5 Jahre) führen kann (9). Neben des hinreichend bekannten Einflusses der Psoriasis auf die Lebensqualität und Psyche der betroffenen Patienten scheint also möglicherweise auch die übrige physische Gesundheit merklich beeinträchtigt zu sein (30).…”