[Therapeutic strategies for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis]

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory disorder with a genetic background, whose treatment is currently undergoing a paradigm shift. For many patients clinical signs and symptoms of psoriatic skin and joint disease are most important. From the public health perspective, however, recent findings that suggest a high degree of co-morbidity is becoming increasingly relevant. Because it is also highly significant from the patients' perspective, the improvement of health-related quality of life should be considered as the third treatment goal. Modern therapeutic concepts interact with specific pathogenetically relevant molecular targets. The development of such"targeted therapies" reflects our increasing understanding of the pathogenetic principles of psoriasis. Provided that the whole spectrum of approved remedies is employed as indicated, psoriasis has become a condition that is amenable to early intervention and can be treated effectively in the long run.