The management of psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common condition affecting 1.5-2.0% of Western populations. It occurs equally commonly in men and women. Although it affects mainly the skin, an associated arthritis occurs in approximately 3-4% of those affected. It is rarely life-threatening, but is frequently the cause of significant morbidity, both physical and psychosocial. Management may involve topical treatments, phototherapy or photochemotherapy or systemic agents. The choice of treatment depends on a variety of factors, including the extent and type of the cutaneous lesions, the presence of an associated arthritis and whether the patient has any other intercurrent disease. Patients receiving treatment with systemic agents require careful supervision, as those currently used have potentially serious adverse effects.