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The latest news releases from the National Psoriasis Foundation on research developments into psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, National Psoriasis Foundation events for its members and the public and other relevant happenings.
The National Psoriasis Foundation responds to lymphoma study
Portland, Ore., Nov. 26, 2003 � A study published in the November 2003 Archives of Dermatology explored a possible relationship between psoriasis and lymphoma, an umbrella term for a form of cancer that resulted in over 60,000 new cases in 2002 in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. The study analyzed data from the General Practice Research database collected in the United Kingdom between 1988 and 1996. Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania found that the number of patients in the database who also had psoriasis had a nearly 3-fold higher rate of lymphoma. The increased rate translates to an additional 12 cases per 10,000 people with psoriasis.
The researchers were not conclusive in linking the rate to a specific cause. Psoriasis treatments are being studied in their relationship to lymphoma, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating the increased rates of malignancy among rheumatoid arthritis patients using anti-TNF treatments. No conclusive research has linked malignancy from anti-TNF treatments to psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis patients. Psoriasis is a chronic, immune mediated disease of the skin and joints.
The National Psoriasis Foundation is fully supportive of research that improves the lives of the more than 5 million people in the United States with psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis. As with any treatment, patients and their physicians need to weigh carefully its benefits and risks. Traditional and new treatments for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are undergoing close scrutiny for possible risks. The National Psoriasis Foundation is fully committed to educating the community about its options for effective treatments, and we are pleased that the members of our community are more aware than ever of their options for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis treatments.
About Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a lifelong skin disease that occurs when faulty signals in the immune system cause skin cells to regenerate too quickly-every three to four days instead of the usual 30-day cycle. Extra skin cells build up on the skin's surface, forming red, flaky, scaly lesions that can itch, crack, bleed and be extremely painful. Psoriasis generally involves the joints, limbs and scalp but it can appear anywhere on the body, covering some people from head to toe. More than 5 million Americans have been diagnosed with psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis, a degenerative disease of the joints and connective tissues associated with psoriasis. Psoriasis typically first strikes people between the ages of 15 and 35, but can affect anyone at any age, including children.
About the National Psoriasis Foundation
The National Psoriasis Foundation is the leading nonprofit organization fighting to improve the quality of life of the more than 5 million Americans diagnosed with psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis and their families. Sustained by annual contributions from nearly 50,000 members as well as corporate and foundation grants, its mission is to educate people about these diseases and their treatments, raise public awareness, and support ongoing research. The organization is headquartered in Portland, Ore. For more information, please call the Psoriasis Foundation at 800.723.9166 or visit http://www.psoriasis.org.
Media inquiries:
Marketing and Communications Department
National Psoriasis Foundation
503.244.7404, ext. 413
pfasano@psoriasis.org
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