DISEASE SCANNER

Global Incurable Diseases Tracker

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Dermatologic Condition

Plaque Psoriasis

MODERATE

A chronic immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease characterized by well-demarcated, erythematous plaques with silvery scale. Affects 2-3% of global population. Associated with psoriatic arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome.

Global Affected

125.0M

Countries

111

Symptoms

Red patches with silvery scales
Itching/burning
Dry, cracked skin
Thickened, pitted nails
Scalp involvement
Koebner phenomenon
Psoriatic arthritis (30%)
Emotional distress

Treatment Options

Topical corticosteroids
Vitamin D analogs
Topical retinoids
Phototherapy (NB-UVB, PUVA)
Oral agents (methotrexate, cyclosporine, acitretin, apremilast)
Biologics (TNF, IL-17, IL-23, IL-12/23 inhibitors)
TYK2 inhibitors

Risk Factors

1Family history
2Genetic susceptibility (HLA-Cw6)
3Stress
4Infections (strep throat)
5Skin trauma (Koebner)
6Obesity
7Smoking
8Alcohol
9Certain medications (lithium, beta-blockers)
10HIV infection

Diagnostic Methods

  • 1Clinical diagnosis
  • 2Physical examination
  • 3Skin biopsy (atypical cases)
  • 4Nail examination
  • 5Assessment for psoriatic arthritis
  • 6Cardiovascular risk assessment

Prognosis

Chronic relapsing condition. No cure, but highly treatable. Biologics can achieve near-complete clearance in many patients. Comorbidities (psoriatic arthritis, CVD, metabolic syndrome, depression) require monitoring.

Prevention

  • Stress management
  • Smoking cessation
  • Alcohol moderation
  • Weight management
  • Skin care
  • Avoiding triggers
  • Regular exercise
  • Sunlight (moderate)

Research Status

IL-17 inhibitors (secukinumab, ixekizumab, brodalumab, bimekizumab) and IL-23 inhibitors (guselkumab, risankizumab, tildrakizumab, mirikizumab) highly effective. Oral agents (apremilast, deucravacitinib TYK2 inhibitor). Biosimilars expanding access.

Affected Countries

United StatesUnited KingdomCanadaAustraliaGermanyFranceItalySpainJapanChinaIndiaBrazilRussiaSwedenNetherlandsBelgiumSwitzerlandAustriaDenmarkNorwayFinlandPolandCzech RepublicHungaryRomaniaBulgariaCroatiaSloveniaSlovakiaLTLVEEIrelandPortugalGreeceCYMTLUIcelandNew ZealandSouth KoreaSingaporeTaiwanHong KongMalaysiaThailandVietnamIndonesiaPhilippinesSouth AfricaNigeriaEgyptTurkeyIranSaudi ArabiaUAEQatarKuwaitOmanJordanLebanonSyriaYemenIraqAfghanistanPakistanBangladeshLKNPMMKHLAMNKazakhstanUzbekistanTMKGTJAzerbaijanAMGEUkraineBelarusMDALBAMEMKSerbiaXKMexicoArgentinaChileColombiaPeruVenezuelaEcuadorUYPYBOCRPAGuatemalaHNSVNIBZJMHaitiDominican RepublicCuba

Sources

  • https://www.cdc.gov/
  • https://www.hematology.org/education/patients
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books
  • https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases

Medical Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult healthcare professionals for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.