-
Psoriasis: Targets and Therapy
-
About Dovepress
Open access peer-reviewed scientific and medical journals.
-
Open Access
Dove Medical Press is now a member of the Open Access Initiative
-
An Author's Guide
A guide to help authors get their paper published.
-
Advocacy
Support Open Access and Dove Press
-
Reprints
Promotional Article Monitoring - further details
-
Favored Author Program
Real benefits for authors, including fast-track processing of papers.
Psoriasis: epidemiology, natural history, and differential diagnosis
Review
(3005) Total Article Views
Authors: Basko-Plluska JL, Petronic-Rosic V
Published Date September 2012
Volume 2012:2 Pages 67 - 76
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/PTT.S24009
| Received: |
30 May 2012 
|
|---|---|
| Accepted: | 16 July 2012 |
| Published: | 11 September 2012 |
Department of Medicine, Section of Dermatology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
Abstract: Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated, inflammatory disease which affects primarily the skin and joints. It occurs worldwide, but its prevalence varies considerably between different regions of the world. Genetic susceptibility as well as environmental factors play an important role in determining the development and prognosis of psoriasis. Genome-wide association studies have identified many genetic loci as potential psoriasis susceptibility regions, including PSORS1 through PSORS7. Histocompatibility antigen (HLA) studies have also identified several HLA antigens, with HLA-Cw6 being the most frequently associated antigen. Epidemiological studies identified several modifiable risk factors that may predispose individuals to developing psoriasis or exacerbate pre-existing disease. These include smoking, obesity, alcohol consumption, diet, infections, medications and stressful life events. The exact mechanism by which they trigger psoriasis remains to be elucidated; however, existing data suggest that they are linked through Th1-mediated immunological pathways. The natural history of psoriasis varies depending on the clinical subtype as well as special circumstances, including pregnancy and HIV infection. In general, psoriasis is a chronic disease with intermittent remissions and exacerbations. The differential diagnosis is vast and includes many other immune-mediated, inflammatory disorders.
Keywords: psoriasis, epidemiology, natural history, differential diagnosis
Post to:
Cannotea Citeulike Del.icio.us Facebook LinkedIn Twitter
Readers of this article also read:
-
Call For Submissions
Submit Original Research Article, Review, Case Report, or Rapid Communication in Psoriasis: Targets and Therapy
- DataGenno: building a new tool to bridge molecular and clinical genetics
- The western diet and lifestyle and diseases of civilization
-
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, linear dose, crossover study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a green coffee bean extract in overweight subjects
-
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, linear dose, crossover study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a green coffee bean extract in overweight subjects
