Psoriasis

Understanding measures of psoriasis disease severity is critical for the patient. And, many payers, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service require an accurate PASI or PGA score on all psoriasis claims.

At the 20th annual National Psoriasis Foundation residents meeting recently held in Chicago, Dr. Abby Van Voorhees, said that phototherapy can improve psoriasis, but it is not in common practice today.

Nearly 80 percent of patients experience limited-to-moderate psoriasis disease, and topical therapies account for the majority, if not all, of their treatment. But the choice of topical treatment depends on the patient.

Two approved and two pending anti-IL 23 drugs offer an opportunity for moderate to severe psoriasis patients to regain their lives, according to researchers presenting at the 2018 Fall Clinical Dermatology Conference.

Reporting from Fall Clinical in Las Vegas, Dr. James Del Rosso reviews best practices for topical therapy uses in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.

A novel tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor may provide efficacy comparable to that of currently available biologic agents for psoriasis, without the adverse effects associated with JAK inhibitors, a study shows.

A recent review by the National Psoriasis Foundation's medical board suggests that adults with psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis (PsA) may use dietary interventions to supplement standard medical therapies to reduce disease severity.

Adalimumab trials in psoriasis show no new safety signals in nearly 5,500 patient-years (PYs) of exposure, shows a review in the British Journal of Dermatology.

The superiority of risankizumab over ustekinumab and placebo in two phase three psoriasis trials supports the value of targeting interleukin (IL)-23 alone over IL-12 and IL-23, according to study authors. The publication appeared online in the August issue of The Lancet.

Biologic efficacy may not wane under previous exposure to biologic treatments, study shows.

A review of complementary and alternative medicines used by more than 51 percent of patients with psoriasis, shows that indigo naturalis, curcumin, dietary modification, fish oil, meditation, and acupuncture may be effective in some patients, but proceed cautiously investigators say.

Patients who achieve complete skin clearance of psoriasis experience a noticeable difference in quality of life and work productivity.

Ortho Dermatologics announced in August that it resubmitted a new drug application to the FDA for DUOBRIITM1, a lotion for the treatment of plaque psoriasis.

In this slideshow, we highlight some of this year's clinical advances in psoriasis and plaque psoriasis.

A JAMA Dermatology study shows that adherence to a Mediterranean diet high in anti-inflammatory nutrients may lessen psoriasis severity.

The prevalence of psoriatic arthritis in patients with psoriasis worldwide appears to be around 20 percent, shows a meta-analysis published in JAAD.

Longer, more in-depth consultations with dermatologists, nursing staff, physician assistants could improve outcomes in psoriasis.

Obesity appears to be an important independent risk factor for children with psoriasis who go on to develop cormorbidities, such as hypertension and diabetes, a study shows.

As dermatologists become increasingly aware of comorbidities associated with psoriasis, questions of associated malignancy risk remain. Dr. Megan Noe emphasizes the need for skin cancer checks.

Patients with psoriasis have a higher risk of developing new onset diabetes mellitus. It’s a risk that’s been described as statistically significant. So, in this article, we examine dermatologic care for diabetic foot infections.

Newer biologics that target interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-23 are changing the paradigm for psoriasis treatment, report physicians.

The August issue of Dermatology Times includes a supplement edition that focuses on a patient-centered approach in psoriasis management, including an article on the importance of longer consults in the doctor's office and recommendations for individualized therapy. Read more here.  

For psoriasis in difficult locations including the scalp, palms and soles, guselkumab outperformed adalimumab and placebo, shows a study published online in JAMA Dermatology.

Ustekinumab has a higher drug survival rate than adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab, confirms a study of plaque psoriasis patients published in the Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery.

A new methotrexate usage survey shows that most patients with arthritis do not discuss medication modification strategies with their doctors.