Psoriasis campaign and website launched

A campaign to help increase understanding of the debilitating effects that psoriasis can have on people who live with this chronic autoimmune disorder is being launched today, on World Psoriasis Day, by the Psoriasis Association of Ireland and Abbott.

As part of the campaign, a new website, www.psoriasisuncovered.ie, where users can learn more about psoriasis and its treatment. The website is also host to a new international survey designed to capture information about the social, psychological and economic effects of psoriasis.

The data collected will be combined with data from around the world to help build a picture of the nature and impact of the disease and allow for benchmarking against other countries.

The survey also includes the internationally recognised Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), designed to assess the severity of a patient’s psoriasis, guide a course of treatment and enable them to have more informed and productive discussions with their dermatologists.

“Approximately 100,000 people are affected by psoriasis in Ireland. Psoriasis, if not adequately treated, can significantly and permanently alter the trajectory of people’s lives  – derailing careers, relationships and educational opportunities, and severely altering people’s outlooks on their lives,” said Caroline Irwin, chairperson of the Psoriasis Association of Ireland.

Ms Irwin added that the Association are hoping that people will participate in the survey, because providing more information to those living with the condition will improve the understanding, and the management, of psoriasis.

“Although often a mild and annoying chronic skin complaint, psoriasis can be a very serious disease. It is too often misunderstood and so it is vitally important that we have more resources such as www.psoriasisuncovered.ie,” said Prof Sarah Rogers, Department of Dermatology, St Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin.

“Many of those with psoriasis who are not seeking treatment could benefit from doing so, not only physically, but emotionally, as psoriasis can cause more than just a nasty rash – it can affect quality of life too,” she said.

Psoriasis is more than just a skin condition. Lesions can develop anywhere on the skin and most commonly appear on the scalp, knees, elbows, lower back, hands and feet. They may even occur in the fingernails, toenails and in the joints. Though psoriasis occurs in people of all ages, it typically appears for the first time in people between the ages of 15 and 35.

Psoriasis affects an estimated 125 million people worldwide. Up to 30% of people with the condition develop psoriatic arthritis, which combines skin symptoms with joint inflammation, leading to progressive joint damage.

For more on psoriasis, visit http://www.irishhealth.com/clin/psor/index.html

[Posted: Wed 29/10/2008]