Psoriasis Findings: Causes, Consequences, and Treatments New Data Reveal More Details Concerning the Extent to Which Psoriasis Affects Individuals

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Psoriasis Findings: Causes, Consequences, and Treatments New data reveal more details concerning the extent to which psoriasis affects individuals.

Psoriasis Patients Get Less Sleep.In a 16-week study presented at the 2011 AAD Meeting in New Orleans (P 3341), investigators found that psoriasis patients had an average of 12 minutes less of sleep per night than did individuals without psoriasis, which is about an hour and a half less sleep per week. Why psoriasis patients got less sleep is not fully clear, but it is speculated that itching from psoriasis causes increased sleep disturbances. Authors also indicated that patients with psoriasis were at a 1 60 percent increased likelihood of snoring. In addition, just 47 percent of patients with psoriasis self-reported sleep adequacy, compared to 60 percent of the non-psoriatic population.

Alcohol Tied to Development of Psoriasis.Alcohol can directly cause or exacerbate several skin conditions, new research indicates (Skin Therapy Lett. 2011 April; 16(4): 5-7). In particular, alcohol misuse is implicated in the development of psoriasis and discoid eczema, in addition to conferring increased susceptibility to skin and systemic infections. Researchers also noted that alcohol misuse might also 2 exacerbate rosacea, porphyria cutanea tarda, and post-adolescent acne. Patients Can Benefit From Continuous Biologic Treatment. Continuous treatment with ustekinumab (Stelara, Centocor Ortho Biotech) can have a positive impact on a patient’s life, according to new data (2011 AAD, New Orleans. P 3315). The study evaluated patients who either continued or discontinued ustekinumab therapy after 40 weeks of treatment and found a rapid loss of quality of life in patients who discontinued therapy at just 12 weeks after discontinuation. The impact of psoriasis 3 progressively worsened over the next 26 weeks.

Anxiety Higher and More Frequent in Psoriasis Patients. Psoriasis patients may be more likely to have higher anxiety levels and rates of anxiety, according to new research (2011 AAD, New Orleans. P 3309). Investigators measured anxiety in psoriasis patients versus a non-psoriatic population using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) Scale, on which a score of 10 or higher represents clinical anxiety. Results indicated that 53 percent of psoriasis patients measured a 10 or greater on the HAD 4 scale, versus 34 percent of the non-psoriatic population. There was a strong PASI correlation to the HAD scores.

New QOL Measurement Unveiled. Researchers have developed a new measurement system for quality of life in psoriasis patients called the Cumulative Life Course Impairment Scale for Psoriasis (Br J Dermatol. 64; Sup. 1-14). The scale measures the effect of psoriasis on major life-altering decisions and the extent to which psoriasis can prevent an individual from achieving certain life goals or pur- sue certain career and educational paths. It also measures how psoriasis can influence one’s social 5 relationships and prevent patients from experiencing the pleasure of family, life, and having chil- dren. ■

70 | Practical Dermatology | June 2011