As world marks 'Psoriasis day,' 125 million people globally and around three percent Pakistanis of total population suffer from Psoriasis. Dr Manzoor Memon, Dermatologist stated that Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease clinically evident as raised inflamed scaly red skin lesions that crack and itch. Psoriasis has a bimodal age of disease onset.
The first peak is around 20 and the second peak is around 60. 'In psoriasis one-third of patients suffer under the age of 18 years, while plaque type of psoriasis is the commonest form of childhood psoriasis,' he added. The Pakistan Psoriasis Foundation reports that in an analysis of survey data from 5000 psoriasis patients, 20 percent of women said that psoriasis was a very large problem in their everyday lives, compared to only 12 percent of men.
In addition, approximately 60 percent of women said that psoriasis interferes with their ability to enjoy life, as compared to only 52 percent of men. Overall, women have a much more difficult time dealing with the psychological and social issues brought about by having psoriasis.
"Psoriasis can also cause inflammation of the joints, which is known as psoriatic arthritis. Almost 10 to 15 percent of people with psoriasis have psoriatic arthritis. Women with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are markedly more likely than men to suffer from the emotional and psychological effects of the diseases, according to survey data released by the Pakistan Psoriasis Foundation (PPF) in 2010," said Dr Manzoor.
'The risk for diabetes mellitus rises substantially in patients with psoriasis, with a 62 percent increase in risk noted in patients with severe psoriasis,' said Dr Manzoor, adding that early cardiovascular deaths have been reported in psoriatic patients as compared to general population. "Psoriasis is considered as a systemic inflammatory disease causing various complications and co-morbidities which have significant impact on patients," he added.
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