FEATURED cme TOPIC: Psoriasis

What is the problem?

Approximately 7.5 million people in the United States are living with psoriasis. Psoriasis occurs in all age groups but is most commonly seen in adults. The most common form of psoriasis is plaque psoriasis, characterized by raised, reddish skin patches covered with a silvery-white scale. Up to 30% of people with psoriasis experience joint inflammation that produces symptoms of arthritis, which is referred to as psoriatic arthritis. Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis can be associated with other diseases and conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and depression. The primary care physician is in a key position to diagnose individuals with psoriasis. However, some physicians need to be made aware of the challenges in diagnosis and in the various risks associated with the disease. 

Learning Objectives

1. Describe challenges to effective diagnosis of psoriasis.
2. Review the different forms of psoriasis
3. Discuss genetics and predisposing factors
4. Recognize the appropriate therapeutic choices in individual patients with psoriasis based on their demographic and clinical characteristics
5. Discuss emerging therapies and their potential place(s) in therapy for psoriasis.
6. Develop strategies to minimize adverse effects and barriers to care associated with psoriasis treatment(s).

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If your medical staff needs an update on managing psoriasis, consider contacting our office to book a speaker at 877-505-4777 or info@speakersnetwork.com.

REFERENCES

https://www.aad.org/media/stats/conditions/psoriasis

https://www.cdc.gov/psoriasis/index.htm