Psoriasis: guidance on assessment and referral

TY - JOUR

T1 - Psoriasis

T2 - guidance on assessment and referral

AU - Samarasekera, Eleanor J.

AU - Smith, Catherine H.

AU - Natl Inst Hlth Care Excellence

PY - 2014/4

Y1 - 2014/4

N2 - This concise guideline summarises the key recommendations from the recent National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) clinical guideline on the assessment and management of psoriasis (CG153) that are relevant to the non-dermatologist. The aim is to highlight important considerations for assessment and referral of people with psoriasis, including identification of relevant comorbid conditions. Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin condition and, especially when severe, can be associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and depression. Functional, psychological and social morbidity can also be encountered, and the extent of the disability is frequently underestimated. Importantly, highly effective treatments are available. Appropriate assessment and referral of people with psoriasis therefore has the potential to improve outcomes by correctly identifying the appropriate treatment pathway. Assessment should involve not only disease severity but also the impact on patient well-being and whether the patient has any comorbid conditions, such as psoriatic arthritis, which requires rapid referral to a rheumatologist.

AB - This concise guideline summarises the key recommendations from the recent National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) clinical guideline on the assessment and management of psoriasis (CG153) that are relevant to the non-dermatologist. The aim is to highlight important considerations for assessment and referral of people with psoriasis, including identification of relevant comorbid conditions. Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin condition and, especially when severe, can be associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and depression. Functional, psychological and social morbidity can also be encountered, and the extent of the disability is frequently underestimated. Importantly, highly effective treatments are available. Appropriate assessment and referral of people with psoriasis therefore has the potential to improve outcomes by correctly identifying the appropriate treatment pathway. Assessment should involve not only disease severity but also the impact on patient well-being and whether the patient has any comorbid conditions, such as psoriatic arthritis, which requires rapid referral to a rheumatologist.

KW - Assessment

KW - dermatology

KW - guidance

KW - psoriasis

KW - referral

KW - PREVALENCE

KW - ARTHRITIS

KW - PEOPLE

KW - RISK

U2 - 10.7861/clinmedicine.14-2-178

DO - 10.7861/clinmedicine.14-2-178

M3 - Article

SN - 1470-2118

VL - 14

SP - 178

EP - 182

JO - Clinical Medicine

JF - Clinical Medicine

IS - 2

ER -