Psoriasis (cont.)
Where can I get more information on psoriasis?
Your dermatologist, the American Academy of Dermatology at http://www.AAD.org, and
the National Psoriasis Foundation at
http://www.psoriasis.org/home/ may be
excellent sources of more information.
There are many ongoing clinical trials for psoriasis all over the United
States and in the world. Many of these clinical trials are ongoing at academic
or university medical centers and are frequently open to patients without cost.
Clinical trials frequently have specific requirements for types and severity
of psoriasis that may be enrolled into a specific trial. Patients need to
contact these centers and inquire regarding the specific study requirements.
Some studies have restrictions on what recent medications have been used for
psoriasis, current medication, and overall health.
Some of the many medical centers in the U.S. offering clinical trials for
psoriasis include the University of California, San Francisco Department of
Dermatology, the University of California, Irvine Department of Dermatology, and
the St. Louis University Medical School.
Is there a national psoriasis support group?
Yes, the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) is an organization dedicated to
helping patients with psoriasis and furthering research in this field. They hold
national and local chapter meetings. The NPF Web site (http://www.psoriasis.org/home/) shares up-to-date reliable
medical information and statistics on the condition.
What is my long-term prognosis with
psoriasis?
Overall, the prognosis for most patients with psoriasis is good. While it is
not curable, it is controllable. There have been a few studies showing a
possible association of psoriasis and other medical conditions, including obesity
and heart disease.
What does the future hold?
Psoriasis research is heavily funded and holds great promise for the future. Just the last five to 10 years have brought great strides forward in treatment of the disease with medications aimed at treating the overactive immune system that causes the skin inflammation of psoriasis. Ongoing research is needed to decipher the ultimate underlying cause of this disease.
- Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease.
- Psoriasis has no known cause.
- The tendency toward developing psoriasis is
inherited in genes.
- Psoriasis is not contagious.
- Psoriasis gets better and
worse spontaneously and can have periodic remissions (clear skin).
- Psoriasis is controllable with medication.
- Psoriasis is currently not curable.
- There are many promising therapies including newer biologic drugs.
- Future research for psoriasis is promising.
Last Editorial Review: 5/1/2009
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