Psoriasis

Scalp psoriasis, especially around the hairline, can cause significant impairment in quality of life due to its visibility. This articles makes a case for a combination of 308 nm excimer laser with clobetasol spray for the treatment of scalp psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a common dermatosis, affecting children in North America. Many papers have stressed the treatments available for adult psoriasis, but few have dealt with this disorder in children. Topical treatment modalities continue to be the first line therapy for childhood psoriasis.

Several variants of psoriasis are seen in children, the most prevalent types include plaque, guttate, and psoriatic diaper rash; pustular and erythrodermic psoriasis are less frequently observed. This article discusses genetic susceptibility, and environmental triggers are discussed.

Sirolimus, also known as rapamycin (SRL, Rapamune®), was approved in 1999 by the US Food and Drug Administration to prevent graft rejection in renal transplantation. This articles reviews Sirolimus, its pharmacokinetics, mechanism of action, and indication.

Topical treatments are usually the first line therapies for psoriasis. Corticosteroids, calcipotriol/calcupotriene, tazarotene, tars, and anthralin are discussed.

The addition of biologics that target IL-23p19 (Risankizumab) to our therapeutic armamentarium has succeeded in improving outcomes in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

Psoriasis represents a potentially life-altering disease that can profoundly impact physical, emotional and social functioning, and overall quality of life. Part I of this 2-part series will focus on topical agents, their varying degrees of effectiveness, potential side-effects and applications in clinical practice.

The scalp is involved in up to 80% of individuals with psoriasis. Topical treatment with corticosteroids with or without vitamin D3 analogues is the mainstay of treatment, but other therapies such as light treatment and systemic drugs including biologics are discussed.

Apremilast, a selective PDE4 inhibitor, has been shown to reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. A review of clinical trial data treating psoriasis, considering adverse effects, efficacy and tolerance.

Tildrakizumab is a promising therapeutic option for patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis. The specificity of the drug in targeting the p19 subunit of IL-23 allows for the high efficacy and safety of long-term treatment as demonstrated in clinical trials.

This article discusses the role that dermatologists can play in recognizing the cutaneous manifestations linked with some systemic conditions. Identifying the underlying disorder will contribute to appropriate diagnosis and improved management.

Emotional stress may influence the development and exacerbation of psoriasis. This article review the evidence for stress and its effects, the challenges in accurate measurements, as well as management strategies.

The benefits of transitioning from Cal/BD ointment or gel to aerosol foam formulation in this Canadian patient population were similar to those reported in clinical studies and were seen consistently among patients with a range of treatment priorities and with differing history of psoriasis severity and treatment history.

Psoriasis types and subtypes can influence preferred treatment modality. This article discusses the symptoms specific to the psoriasis subtype, and considerations for selecting treatment.

Etanercept is a TNF-alpha receptor fused onto human IgG and inhibits TNF-alpha activity. Dosage, side-effects, and drug interactions are discussed.

Although PDT remains an investigational treatment modality in dermatology, several important areas of development may ultimately lead to official and practical acceptance of PDT for the skin. Various uses of PDT are evaluated.

Janus kinase inhibitors, also known as JAK inhibitors or jakinibs, represent a new class of medication that have broad potential to treat dermatologic disease.

Interleukin (IL)-17 is important in the pathophysiology of psoriasis and has proven to be an effective therapeutic target. As brodalumab enters the marketplace, a review of this important biologic, its safety profile, and discussion of possible adverse effects is in order.

This article provides an overview for the drug, Efalizumab (RAPTIVA®) for the treatment of psoriasis. Indications, mechanism, contraindications, side-effects are considered.

This article discusses the over the counter (OTC) treatments for psoriasis that are available to patients without a prescription. Tar, salicylic acids, and hydrocortisone creams are some of the treatments discussed.

There is no clear evidence that monoclonal antibodies influence neurological function and modulate behavior in humans. More research in this area is necessary in order to begin to understand the potential effects of..

Psoriasis is associated with comorbidities that include metabolic syndrome and increased cardiovascular risk. These conditions share etiologic features and health consequences that directly correlate with the severity of psoriatic disease.

Psoriasis, acne vulgaris and photoaging are common conditions. Tazarotene is a pro-drug of tazarotenic acid, a receptor-selective retinoid, which has shown efficacy in the treatment of these disorders. In the treatment of acne vulgaris, it has greater comedolytic activity than the currently available topical retinoids.

Biologic compounds are being used more frequently to treat a multitude of systemic inflammatory conditions. This article discusses the increased risk of opportunistic infections of tuberculosis, herpes zoster, Legionella pneumophila, and Listeria monocytogenes.

Etanercept has recently been approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis at a dose of 50mg twice per week for 12 weeks followed by a maintenance dose of 50mg once weekly thereafter. Clinical studies have shown excellent efficacy and a good safety profile in patients with psoriasis.

In the past three decades, major advances have been made in understanding the pathogenesis of psoriasis. This review focuses on the role of IL-23 in psoriasis pathogenesis and the current therapies targeting IL-23 that are being studied in clinical trials.

Infliximab is monoclonal antibody targeted against human tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Dosage, side-effects, and drug interactions are discussed.

While the association between psoriasis and various comorbidities is well documented in adults, questions remain as to whether the same relationships exist in the pediatric population.

Biologics are one of the more effective and relatively safe options for long-term control of psoriasis. They have reduced the time needed to clear the signs of chronic disease, and are effective in maintaining a disease-free state for longer durations. Biologics can safely be used with other treatment modalities (i.e., methotrexate, cyclosporine, acitretin and hydroxyurea).

Biologics represent a new type of treatment that shows promise. This article provides a quick overview of how they work, and what makes these classes of drugs promising.

Acitretin (SORIATANE®, Roche Pharmaceuticals) is an aromatic retinoid, effective in the treatment of severe psoriasis. This study highlights data from two existing clinical trials to capture PASI 50 and PASI 75 responder rates which represent a common metric used in current psoriasis clinical trials.

Tofacitinib is an oral immunosuppressant approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and is currently undergoing investigation (Phase III trials) for treating chronic plaque psoriasis.

Psoriasis and eczema, especially atopic eczema, are two of the most common cutaneous conditions seen by family physicians and dermatologists. This article focuses on corticosteroids of varying strengths and their suggested indications.

The exact role of biologics in the treatment of pediatric psoriasis remains undefined but evolving. This article will provide a summary of the cumulative pediatric safety and efficacy data for the anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) agents and interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23 (IL12/23) pathway inhibitor.

Psoriasis is thought to arise from a combination of pathogenic factors including genetic susceptibility and environmental exacerbation. This article reviews the current status of guselkumab as a therapy for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

Psoriasis has a greater mental and physical impact than myocardial infarction, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, arthritis, and cancer; only depression had a greater mental impact, and congestive heart failure a greater physical impact.

Various treatment modalities for the treatment of scalp psoriasis are considered, as well as their upsides and downsides. A list of practical tips in management are also provided.

A fixed combination halobetasol propionate and tazarotene lotion (HP/TAZ) was launched in Canada in 2020, to treat moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in adults. With the use of polymeric emulsion technology, there is uniform distribution of HP and TAZ and excipients on the skin and improved skin moisturization.

Approximately 50% of patients with psoriasis have nail psoriasis but the life time chance of nail changes must be much higher. Nail changes in psoriasis include pitting, thickening, onycholysis, discoloration, oily spots, splinter hemorrhages and paronychia. Treatment of choice depends on the form the psoriasis takes.

For many years, clinicians have expressed ongoing concerns about treatment adherence by patients, especially pertaining to those with chronic skin disorders. Although crucial to effective therapeutic outcomes, the issue of patient adherence has been largely ignored in dermatologic disease management until recently.