Psoriasis drastically affects the everyday lives of patients as it victimizes more than 125 million people worldwide. Pakistan Psoriasis Foundation (PPF) report states that in an analysis of survey data from 5,000 psoriasis patients, 20% of women said that psoriasis was a massive problem in their everyday lives, compared to only 12% of men. In addition, approximately 60% of women said that psoriasis interferes with their ability to enjoy life, as compared to only 52% of men. Overall, women have greater difficulty dealing with the psychological and social issues brought about by having psoriasis.

Health professionals said, "Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease clinically evident as raised inflamed scaly red skin lesions that crack and itch. International Psoriasis Day is observed globally on 29th of October to increase the awareness of one of the most important skin problems."

Chairman Department of Dermatology, King Edward Medical University/Mayo Hospital Professor Ijaz Hussain said: "Psoriasis has a bimodal age of disease onset. The first peak is around 20 and the second peak is around 60. Around one-third of patients are under the age of 18 years. Childhood obesity and psoriasis is considered amongst one of the prevalent factors. It is said that psoriasis has a genetic basis, as 23.4% to 71% of children will have a family history of psoriasis."

Health professional and the general public should not minimize its impact as skin disorders are often chronic but not life threatening but they severely affect the mental well-being of patients. Psoriasis can also cause inflammation of the joints, which is known as psoriatic arthritis.

One third of psoriatic patients have psoriatic arthritis. The risk for diabetes mellitus rises substantially in patients with psoriasis, with a 62% increase in risk noted in patients with severe psoriasis.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019