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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.
New Pocket Guide available to aid dermatologists in managing psoriasis patients
Expert panel and the National Psoriasis Foundation issue second edition of Treatment Algorithms and Management Options
Portland, Ore., Feb. 17, 2005 - The National Psoriasis Foundation today released "The Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Pocket Guide: Treatment Algorithms and Management Options," authored by an expert panel of dermatologists and aimed at helping physicians treat patients with specific types of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
The Pocket Guide, including its algorithms, was updated to incorporate the use of biologic treatments that have become available since the first guide was issued in 2002.
"We want to provide guidance to physicians who manage patients with moderate to severe psoriasis," said Steve Feldman, M.D., Ph.D., a dermatology professor at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and one of five authors of the Pocket Guide. "Knowing what options are most appropriate for specific patient types can be challenging with the new choices available. We want to assist our colleagues in understanding when it's appropriate to offer biologic therapies, either alone or in combination with topical, phototherapy or other systemic treatments."
In creating the Pocket Guide, Feldman was joined by dermatologists John Koo, M.D., University of California San Francisco; Mark Lebwohl, M.D., Mount Sinai School of Medicine; Alan Menter, M.D., Baylor University Medical Center and University of Texas Southwestern Medical School; and Abby Van Voorhees, M.D., University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.
"Part of our role is to provide relevant resources to the dermatology community that help improve the quality of life for the more than five million Americans diagnosed with psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis," said Gail M. Zimmerman, president and CEO of the National Psoriasis Foundation. "We encourage physicians to utilize the full array of treatments when managing their psoriasis patients."
The Pocket Guide is specifically designed to help physicians with the following:
- Define the severity of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and develop an appropriate therapy plan
- Explain the profound emotional, social and physical impact psoriasis has on a patient
- Differentiate psoriasis from other diseases when evaluating patients with similar skin lesions
- Diagnose patients who have moderate or severe disease, and identify those who will potentially benefit from systemic therapy
- Discuss therapeutic options and appropriate doses for patients at various stages of severity
- Describe toxicities expected with various therapies and ways to manage them
The Pocket Guide is available to physicians at no cost by contacting the National Psoriasis Foundation at physicians@psoriasis.org or 800.723.9166. A PDA format is being developed and will be available to download at a later date.
About Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a non-contagious, lifelong skin disease that results when faulty signals in the immune system prompt skin cells to regenerate too quickly, causing red, scaly, itchy lesions. It often affects the elbows, knees, scalp and torso but can appear anywhere on the body. A percentage of people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis, a degenerative disease of the joints and connective tissues. Psoriasis can affect anyone at any age, including children.
About the National Psoriasis Foundation
The National Psoriasis Foundation is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of more than 5 million Americans diagnosed with psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis and their families. We focus on education, advocacy and research toward better treatments and a cure. For more information, please call the Psoriasis Foundation, headquartered in Portland, Ore., at 800.723.9166 or visit www.psoriasis.org
Media inquiries:
Molly Blauvelt
National Psoriasis Foundation
800.723.9166, ext 369
mblauvelt@psoriasis.org
Steve Feldman, M.D., Ph.D.
Wake Forest University
336.716.7740
sfeldman@wfubmc.edu
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