International Psoriasis Council
Publications & Slides
Videos
Program Introduction
The International Psoriasis Council has developed this program to help educate medical professionals about psoriasis and its treatment. Psoriasis is a serious, immune-mediated disease that can significantly affect a patient’s quality of life. In this educational program, we introduce psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and discuss the full range of treatment options, including topical therapy, ultraviolt light, traditional systemic agents and the new biologic injectable therapies. Practical advice for initiating safe and effective therapy is also included.
Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Overview
Psoriasis is a common, chronic, inflammatory disease that may affect up to 100 million people worldwide. Up to 30% of psoriasis patients will also develop a potentially progressive form of joint disease known as psoriatic arthritis. The immunologic basis of psoriasis, with the clinical presentation of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, is discussed. Therapeutic modalities, including tpical and systemic approaches and the basis for a new treatment paradigm, are presented.
Practical Applications for Psoriasis Patient Care
Effective patient communication and education are key components for successful psoriasis treatment. Psoriasis clinic goals and objectives of the initial patient assessment are discussed. From the dermatology nurse’s perspective, traditional systemic and biologic agents and recommended monitoring schedules are reviewed. Sample monitoring forms are presented for usein the clinic. The information presented in this presentation is based on the personal experience of the presenter. All guidelines should be interpreted with care.
Topical Therapy Review
Topical therapies are central to the treatment of psoriasis. The different categories of topical therapies, including tar and anthralin, keratolytics, vitamin D analogues, retinoids, corticosteroids and topical immunomodulating agents are reviewed. Efficacy, safety, and use of these agents as monotherapy, sequential therapy and combination therapy are presented. Treatment of special areas, includingthe face, intertriginous areas, scalp and nails, is discussed.
Phototherapy Overview
The therapeutic effects of ultraviolet light have long been recognized in medicine. Ultraviolet B (UVB) phototherapy is an effective treatment for psoriasis with good long-term safety. The dosing schedules, safety, limitations and practical clinical issues for narrowband UVB, broadband UVB, psoralen with ultraviolet A (PUVA) and other combination therapies are also discussed.
Traditional Systemic Agent Overview
Systemic treatment is an important component of the psoriasis treatment armamentarium. The rationale for systemic treatment, a discussion of those approved for psoriasis (methotrexate, cyclosporine and acitretin) and secondary systemic agents used to treat psoriasis are reviewed. Efficacy, dosing, side effects and monitoring schedules for these agents are presented. Guidelines for liver biopsy durng methotrexate treatment are discussed in detail. Rotational, combinational and sequential therapy are also discussed.
TNF-alpha Antagonists in the Treatment of Psoriatic Disease
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of psoriatic disease, and inhibiting TNF has proved to be an effective treatment strategy. The clinical trial efficacy and safety data for the TNF-alpha antagonists etanercept, infliximab and adalimumab are reviewed. Data from psoriatic arthritis trials showing inhibition of joint destuction by these agents are also presented. Long-term safety data and new safety concerns are discussed in detail for these agents.
Overview of Treatment-Related Issues in Psoriasis
Psoriasis patients should be screened for certain conditions before initiating systemic therapy and periodically during treatment. The signs and symptoms of infection, heart failure, hypertension, multiple sclerosis, lymphoma and anemia, as well as testing recommendations and treatment protocols for tuberculosis, are discussed in detail. The information presented in this pesentation is based on the personal experience of the presenter. All guidelines should be interpreted with care.
Challenges and Quality-of-Life Issues in Psoriatic Disease
Psoriasis can severely affect a patient’s quality of life, creating both a psychological and physical burden. A review of quality-of-life instruments and their use in clinical practice is presented. Unmet needs in the treatment of psoriasis patients are discussed, including the challenges of defining disease severity and identifying patients who should be treated ith systemic therapy. A case report of a difficult-to-treat psoriasis patient is also presented.
IPC: Global Perspectives
The International Psoriasis Council (IPC) is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing psoriasis research and treatment by providing a forum for education, collaboration and innovation among physicians, researchers and other professionals interested in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. In this short prsentation, IPC's president, board members, and founding CEO and executive director share their vision and perspectives of IPC. To learn more about IPC, visit www.psoriasiscouncil.org.
Acknowledgements
All trademarks presented within this program are property of their respective owners.
All information presented within this program is factual and current as of June 2008.
IPC acknowledges Physician Resources, LLC, for their time, assistance, and production of this program.