Survey indicates people with chronic moderate to severe plaque psoriasis may be undertreatedFebruary 05, 2007The National Psoriasis Foundation and Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN), today announced survey findings which show that nearly 40 percent of 1,142 patients surveyed with chronic moderate or severe psoriasis are not currently receiving any treatment. These results were presented at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Scientific Meeting in Washington, D.C. According to AAD therapy guidelines, patients diagnosed with chronic moderate to severe plaque psoriasis are candidates for phototherapy or systemic therapy, including biologic agents. Despite the increased number of psoriasis treatment options, the findings show no significant change in treatment patterns across three survey years. According to further data presented at AAD, based on National Psoriasis Foundation surveys from 2003 to 2005, more than half of moderate to severe patients on treatment are not being treated as recommended by AAD guidelines. Of those treated, 57 percent of patients with severe psoriasis (n=459) and 73 percent of patients with moderate psoriasis (n=683) are receiving topical treatment alone. "Psoriasis is not a cosmetic disease, but rather a chronic inflammatory condition that can have a profound negative impact on a person's ability to function," said Mark Lebwohl, M.D., Chairman of the National Psoriasis Foundation Medical Board. "It's important for patients to openly discuss with their dermatologist how the condition may be impacting them, so that together they can determine the most appropriate treatment option." According to additional survey findings, severe psoriasis is associated with lower income. Data presented at AAD show that 21 percent of patients with severe psoriasis (n=179) had a low household income (<$30,000), compared to 13 percent for patients with mild psoriasis (n=180). \\\ Amgen, Inc. |
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| Related Psoriasis Current Events and Psoriasis News Articles Multiple health concerns surface as winter, vitamin D deficiences arrive A string of recent discoveries about the multiple health benefits of vitamin D has renewed interest in this multi-purpose nutrient, increased awareness of the huge numbers of people who are deficient in it, spurred research and even led to an appreciation of it as "nature's antibiotic." Curry-cure? Spicing up the effectiveness of a potential disease-fighter Scientists are reporting development of a nano-size capsule that boosts the body's uptake of curcumin, an ingredient in yellow curry now being evaluated in clinical trials for treatment of several diseases. Skin-disease patients show brain immunity to faces of disgust People with psoriasis - an often distressing dermatological condition that causes lesions and red scaly patches on the skin - are less likely to react to looks of disgust by others than people without the condition, new research has found. Gene variation is 'major genetic determinant of psoriasis' A specific genetic region that has been increasingly identified as the strongest genetic link to psoriasis has an even more significant role in the chronic skin disease than has been suspected, University of Utah medical researchers show in a new study. Drug rescues memory lost to Alzheimer's disease A drug similar to one used in clinical trials for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis has been found to rescue memory in mice exhibiting Alzheimer's symptoms. Post-transplant combo can replace toxic immune-suppressing drugs in monkeys Transplant patients rely on drugs to prevent graft rejection, but at the cost of serious side effects. Psoriasis associated with cardiovascular disease and increased mortality The skin disease psoriasis is associated with atherosclerosis (a buildup of plaque in the arteries) characterized by an increased prevalence of ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral artery disease and an increased risk of death. Scientists discover new genetic immune disorder in children Your immune system plays an important function in your health-it protects you against viruses, bacteria, and other toxins that can cause disease. Study finds unexpected bacterial diversity on human skin The health of our skin - one of the body's first lines of defense against illness and injury - depends upon the delicate balance between our own cells and the millions of bacteria and other one-celled microbes that live on its surface. Vitamin D may halt lung function decline in asthma and COPD Vitamin D may slow the progressive decline in the ability to breathe that can occur in people with asthma as a result of human airway smooth muscle (HASM) proliferation, according to researchers at the University of Pennsylvania. More Psoriasis Current Events and Psoriasis News Articles |
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