Psoriasis

• Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease,1 consisting of red, scaly plaques occurring most commonly on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back, but any skin surface can be involved. The condition greatly affects people’s quality of life to the extent that it could be life-ruining and stigmatizing. In addition to the psychological and social burden related to psoriasis, the cost to patients and healthcare systems is high. In 2014 the World Health Organization recognised psoriasis as a serious non-communicable disease6 and the accompanying WHO report (2016) emphasised the need to better understand the global burden of the disease.(1)
• Affected people of all ages with the highest proportion between the ages of 45 and 64.
  Per person is the sixth most costly of all the skin diseases, costing the health care system $737 million overall and an average of $461.50 per treated patient. Lost productivity for patients and caregivers was $112.78 million.(2)
• Beyond the physical effects:
  Psoriasis affects overall emotional well-being in 88% of patients(3)
  Psoriasis is a significant issue in everyday life for 71% of patients(4)
  48% of patients show signs of anxiety(5)
  10% of psoriasis sufferers are diagnosed with clinical depression(6)

References
(1) Parisi R, Iskandar IYK, Kontopantelis E, Augustin M, Griffiths CEM, Ashcroft DM et al. National, regional, and worldwide epidemiology of psoriasis: systematic analysis and modelling study. BMJ. 2020 May;36:m1590. doi:10.1136/bmj.m1590.
(2) American Academy of Dermatology
(3) Armstrong AW, Schupp C, Wu J, et al. Quality of life and work productivity impairment among psoriasis patients: findings from the National Psoriasis Foundation survey data 2003-2011. PLoS One. 2012;7(12):e52935. Epub 2012 Dec 28. PMID: 23285231; PMCID: PMC3532407.
(4) National Psoriasis Foundation 2008 Survey Snapshot. Available from: http://www.psoriasis.org/document.doc?id=193
(5) Fleming P, Bai JW, Pratt M, Sibbald C, Lynde C, Gulliver WP. The prevalence of anxiety in patients with psoriasis: a systematic review of observational studies and clinical trials. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2017 May;31(5):798–807. doi: 10.1111/jdv.13891. Epub 2016 Sep 12. PMID: 27620704.
(6) Dowlatshahi EA, Wakkee M, Arends LR, Nijsten T. The prevalence and odds of depressive symptoms and clinical depression in psoriasis patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Invest Dermatol. 2014 Jun;134(6):1542–1551. doi: 10.1038/jid.2013.508. Epub 2013 Nov 27. PMID: 24284419.