Psoriasis Questions & Answers

Updated: Sep 14, 2022
  • Author: Jacquiline Habashy, DO, MSc; Chief Editor: William D James, MD  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

What are the signs and symptoms of psoriasis?

What is psoriasis?

What are the types of psoriasis?

What should be included in the physical exam of psoriasis?

What is the role of lab studies in the workup of psoriasis?

Which lab studies should be performed prior to initiating systemic therapy for psoriasis?

Which imaging studies and procedures are indicated in the workup of psoriasis?

Which medications are used in the treatment of psoriasis?

What are the treatment guidelines for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis?

What are the nonpharmacologic treatment options for psoriasis?

When is surgery indicated in the treatment of psoriasis?

What is psoriasis?

What is the most common type of psoriasis?

How prevalent are ocular symptoms in psoriasis?

What are the treatment options for psoriasis?

What causes psoriasis?

What is the pathogenesis of psoriasis?

What is the pathophysiology of psoriasis?

What is the role of keratinocytes in the etiology of psoriasis?

Which environmental factors exacerbate psoriasis?

What is the role of genetics in psoriasis?

Which immunologic factors are associated with psoriasis?

What is the prevalence of psoriasis?

Is psoriasis more common in males or females?

How does the prevalence of psoriasis vary among races?

What is the prevalence of psoriasis in children?

What is the disease course of psoriasis?

What is the mortality risk of psoriasis?

What are the risk factors and comorbidities of psoriasis?

How much does psoriasis increase risk for major medical comorbidities?

What is the relationship between psoriasis and heart disease?

What is the relationship between psoriasis and hypertension?

How does psoriasis affect the risk for chronic kidney disease (CKD)?

How does psoriasis affect quality of life?

What education about psoriasis should be given to patients?

Presentation

What are the symptoms of psoriasis?

Which physical findings suggest psoriasis?

What areas of the body are affected in chronic stationary psoriasis (psoriasis vulgaris)?

Which physical findings are characteristic of plaque psoriasis?

Which physical findings are characteristic of guttate psoriasis?

Which physical findings are characteristic of inverse psoriasis?

Which physical findings are characteristic of pustular psoriasis?

Which physical findings are characteristic of erythrodermic psoriasis?

Which physical findings are characteristic of scalp psoriasis?

Which physical findings are characteristic of nail psoriasis?

Which physical findings suggest psoriatic arthritis?

Which physical findings are characteristic of oral psoriasis?

What areas of the body are affected in eruptive psoriasis?

Which ocular findings suggest psoriasis?

What are the possible complications of psoriasis?

DDX

What are the differential diagnoses for Psoriasis?

Workup

How is psoriatic arthritis differentiated from rheumatoid arthritis and gout?

What is the role of lab studies in the diagnosis of psoriasis?

Which lab studies are indicated prior to systemic therapy for psoriasis?

What is the role of imaging studies and procedures in the diagnosis of psoriasis?

What is the role of punch biopsy in the diagnosis of psoriasis?

Which histologic findings are characteristic of psoriasis?

Treatment

What are the treatment options for psoriasis?

What are the treatment guidelines for psoriasis?

What is the role of the emergency department (ED) in the treatment of psoriasis?

What types of psoriatic lesions may be identified during treatment for other conditions?

What are the conservative treatment options for psoriasis?

How effective are nonprescription tar preparations for the treatment of psoriasis?

How effective is combination drug treatment for psoriasis?

How effective is ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the treatment of psoriasis?

What should patients with psoriasis avoid?

What is the role of systemic medications in the treatment of psoriasis?

What are the possible complications of abrupt discontinuation of steroid therapy for psoriasis?

When are immune-suppressing medications contraindicated in the treatment of psoriasis?

What are the treatment options for ocular complications of psoriasis?

How is the severity of psoriasis determined, and which specialist consultations may be indicated in the treatment of psoriasis?

When is surgery indicated for treatment of psoriasis?

How does the cost of medication affect treatment selection for psoriasis?

What is the role of dietary modifications in the treatment of psoriasis?

What is the role of activity modification in the treatment of psoriasis?

Can psoriasis be prevented?

What long-term monitoring is indicated in the treatment of psoriasis?

What are the PeDRA/NPF guidelines for screening studies in pediatric patients with psoriasis?

Guidelines

What are general guidelines on the management and treatment of psoriasis with topical and alternative therapies, nonbiologic therapies, phototherapy, and biologic therapies?

What are clinical practice guidelines on biologic therapy for psoriasis?

What are the clinical guidelines on the safe and effective prescribing of oral cyclosporine in dermatology?

What are clinical practice guidelines on the management and treatment of psoriasis with phototherapy?

Medications

Which medications are used to treat psoriasis?

Which medications in the drug class Interleukin Inhibitors are used in the treatment of Psoriasis?

Which medications in the drug class PDE-4 Inhibitors, Topical are used in the treatment of Psoriasis?

Which medications in the drug class Phosphodiesterase-4 Enzyme Inhibitors are used in the treatment of Psoriasis?

Which medications in the drug class Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors are used in the treatment of Psoriasis?

Which medications in the drug class Immunomodulators are used in the treatment of Psoriasis?

Which medications in the drug class Antimetabolites are used in the treatment of Psoriasis?

Which medications in the drug class Topical Retinoids are used in the treatment of Psoriasis?

Which medications in the drug class Vitamin D Analogs are used in the treatment of Psoriasis?

Which medications in the drug class Keratolytic Agents are used in the treatment of Psoriasis?

Which medications in the drug class Coal Tar are used in the treatment of Psoriasis?

Which medications in the drug class Ophthalmic Corticosteroids are used in the treatment of Psoriasis?

Which medications in the drug class AhR Agonists are used in the treatment of Psoriasis?

Which medications in the drug class Topical Corticosteroids are used in the treatment of Psoriasis?

Which medications in the drug class Topical Combinations are used in the treatment of Psoriasis?