BMJ  2006;333:380-384 (19 August), doi:10.1136/bmj.333.7564.380

Clinical review

Psoriasis and its management

¹ Skin Therapy Research Unit, St Johns Institute of Dermatology, Kings College London, St Thomas' Hospital, London SE1 7EH

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Introduction

Behcet (1935) referred to the highly stigmatising and common inflammatory skin disease psoriasis (derived from the Greek word psora meaning itch) as "the antidote to a dermatologist's ego," and although in some respects this is still true, major progress has been made in several important areas. Psoriasis occurs worldwide and affects about 2% of the population in the United Kingdom.

A great deal is known about the genetic and immunological mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Some of the new biological treatments recently licensed for psoriasis have been developed as a result of this improved understanding, whereas others have been contributory—for example, the profound efficacy of agents that block the actions of cytokine tumour necrosis factor highlighted the key role of tumour necrosis factor in the disease's pathogenesis. Evidence is also accumulating that psoriasis is not just associated with skin disease. Epidemiological studies have shown an increased standardised mortality in . . . [Full text of this article]

What causes psoriasis?

How is psoriasis diagnosed?

What is the clinical effect of psoriasis?

What are the management options for patients with psoriasis?

What's new in secondary care?

Who should be treating psoriasis and where?

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• Chiu, K., Devlukia, S., Issa, S., Charlton, R. C. (2008). Psoriasis. InnovAiT 1: 481-486 [Abstract] [Full text]  

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