Guidelines for Treating Psoriatic Disease Patients

NPF and the American Academy of Dermatology have released new clinical guidelines outlining best practices for managing psoriasis. The guidelines, which were published online in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, were developed by an expert group composed of dermatologists, a cardiologist, a rheumatologist and patient representatives. They represent the first updating of psoriasis treatment guidelines in a decade and provide health care professionals, patients, insurers and caregivers with the most accurate, up-to-date, evidence-based approaches for the treatment and monitoring of people with psoriasis.

NPF and the American College of Rheumatology have released treatment guidelines for psoriatic arthritis. The guidelines are significant because they provide health care professionals with the most accurate, up-to-date, evidence-based standards for treating PsA patients.

The desire to give psoriasis patients the best care possible drove NPF efforts to establish the first psoriasis treatment targets in the U.S. Published by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology in November 2016, the targets give patients and providers an easy way to work together to achieve clear skin.

Primary care providers play an important role in both managing overall health and screening for comorbidities.

Despite scientific advancements and a better understanding of psoriatic disease, non-treatment and under-treatment of psoriasis patients continues to persist and adversely affect quality of life. In addition to common physical symptoms of itch, irritation, and pain, psoriasis can negatively affect lifestyle, emotional well-being, social life, and ability to work.

It is important to make sure patients are fully educated on their disease, as well as potential treatment options. Health care professionals have many treatment options available, including topical, systemic and light therapies. 

To keep health care professionals informed on the latest treatment and management options, NPF offers for free the most recently updated edition of the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Pocket Guide: Treatment Algorithms and Management Options, which is authored by an expert panel of medical professionals. It is aimed at helping physicians treat patients with specific types of psoriatic disease.