Category Archives: Psoriasis

According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, more than eight million Americans suffer from psoriasis, a chronic skin condition marked by flare-ups onthe knees, elbows and scalp. Psoriasis is the byproduct of genetic factors exacerbated by stress, depression, trauma and other medical conditions.

Not focusing on the relationship between other comorbidities, a study published in October by JAMA Dermatology analyzed the link between cancer and organ-specific psoriasis, a correlation not been thoroughly established before.

As per scientists, since psoriasis is developed through inflammation, also linked to cancer risk, there could be an association between the two diseases. Smoking, drinking and obesity are known risk factors for people with psoriasis, apart from immunomodulatory and potentially carcinogenic treatments.

In fact, a systematic review done in the past was limited to only people with psoriatic arthritis, and omitted autoimmune conditions. The recent comprehensive meta-analysis by University of Manchester aimed to ascertain susceptibility to cancer among people who suffering from psoriasis.

What The Study Found

The review included 58 observational studies, of which 50 had participants with cancer, 15 reported cancer mortality and 7 studieshad both. These studies were adjusted and grouped together based on several overlapping factors. Studies were grouped into level 1 based on adjustments for age and sex. Level 2 studies were adjusted based on age, sex and risk factors such as smoking, alcohol and obesity.

The overall risk of developing cancer was significantly elevated in people with psoriasis and for a number of site-specific cancers; the risk of cancer mortality was found to be elevated in those with severe psoriasis, the researchers stated in the paper.

With regard to site-specific cancers, we observed elevated incident cancer risks for lymphoma, keratinocyte, esophageal, liver, and pancreatic cancers in studies of severe psoriasis and in those involving people with all severities of psoriasis. Similarly, esophageal, liver, and pancreatic cancers also demonstrated an increased risk when considering cancer mortality in studies of severe psoriasis, the researchers added further in the paper.

Evidence from cohort studies of severe psoriasis indicated a 1.22-fold increased risk of developing cancer when compared with populations without psoriasis, a result not significantly different from that of all psoriasis severities. With regard to cancer mortality, a 1.22-fold increased risk of dying due to cancer compared with psoriasis-free populations was observed in studies of severe psoriasis, the researchers explained.

The evidence from this meta-analysis not only suggests that cancer should be given more consideration as an important comorbidity of psoriasis but also begins to present evidence that this risk could be alleviated to some extent through lifestyle behavior change, they concluded.

Plaque psoriasis can be itchy and painful. Image courtesy of Pixabay, public domain

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Cancer And Psoriasis: Is There A Link Between The Two? - Medical Daily

A recent retrospective cohort analysis explored the association between risk of serious infection and initiation of interleukin (IL)-17, IL-12/23, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor among real-world patients with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Commercially insured patients diagnosed with psoriasis or PsA between 2015 and 2018 were included in the study. The exposure was defined as dispensation for IL-17 (ixekizumab or secukinumab), IL-12/23 (ustekinumab) or TNF (adalimumab, certolizumab pegol, etanercept, golimumab and infliximab). The primary outcome was infection requiring hospitalization after biologic initiation. The researchers calculated incidence rates (IRs) per 100 person-years. Cox proportional hazards regression models were adjusted for inverse probability of treatment-weighted propensity scores.

Final analysis included 11,560 new treatment episodes; during 9,264 person-years of follow-up, 190 serious infections (2% of treatment episodes) were reported. Between IL-17 and TNF, class-specific IRs did not significantly differ, but were significantly lower for IL-12/23. In adjusted analyses, infection risk with IL-17 was not significantly greater compared to TNF (hazard ratio [HR]=0.89; 95% CI, 0.48 to 1.66) or IL-12/23 (HR=1.12; 95% CI, 0.62 to 2.03). Compared to TNF, IL-12/23 was associated with a reduced risk of infection (HR=0.59; 95% CI, 0.39 to 0.90).

Relative to TNF and IL-17, IL-12/23 inhibitors were associated with a reduced risk of serious infection in biologic-nave patients with [psoriasis] or PsA, the researchers concluded. In biologic-experienced individuals, there was no difference in infection risk across TNF, IL-17 or IL-12/23 inhibitors.

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Serious Infection Risk in Psoriasis and PsA Patients Using Biologics - DocWire News

OBJECTIVE:

To assess the immunogenicity and safety of vaccination against seasonal influenza in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients treated with secukinumab versus healthy controls (HC).

PsA patients administered secukinumab for 3months and HC received the Sanofi Pasteur vaccine composed of 3 antigens (H3N3, H1N1, and B) and underwent clinical and laboratory assessments on the day of vaccination and 4-6weeks later. Immunogenicity of the vaccine was evaluated by hemagglutination inhibition assay against those 3 antigens. Responders to each antigen were defined by a 4-fold increase in the antigen titer or by seroconversion in patients whose baseline level was <1/40.

Thirty-two consecutive PsA patients treated with secukinumab for 3months comprised the study group, 10 of whom received concomitant conventional synthetic disease-modifying drugs, mostly methotrexate. There were 17 age- and gender-matched HC (median age 48.5years, 6 females). The geometric mean titers of each antigen increased significantly in both groups. The number of responders in each group was similar for H3N2 and H1N1, and significantly higher for B/Brisbane in the PsA group. The proportion of patients with a seroprotective level (a titer >1/40) was high and similar in both groups. There was no correlation between the response rate and age, gender, or selected parameters of disease activity (tender/swollen joint counts, Leeds enthesitis index, physician and patient global assessment, psoriasis area severity index, and C-reactive protein). No disease exacerbation was observed following the vaccination. No serious adverse effects were observed in both groups during the study period.

Secukinumab treatment does not affect the humoral response to influenza vaccine of patients with PsA.

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Immunogenicity and Safety of Vaccination against Seasonal Influenza Vaccine in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis Treated with Secukinumab - DocWire...

After years of feeling self conscious and sore due to her psoriasis, Paula Taylor was willing to try anything to find a cure. And after two weeks of sticking to a vegan diet, she was amazed by the results, as her skin completely cleared.

Paula Taylor, of Ashton, was only 11 when she started to get a severe rash on her skin.

Possibly brought on by grief after losing her nana, doctors thought she had the shingles until she was hospitalised for further treatment.

As she had to undergo a strict and lengthy treatment regime at home, Paula admits to losing part of her childhood.

The 49-year-old, who works at The Hidden Jem, in Lytham, had suffered with the skin condition since she was 11 and had even been hospitalised as she had cold tar treatment.

She recalls: Nobody knew what it was at first, as psoriasis was not widely known.

I lost my nan and it was linked to grief. I had just started high school and I was very conscious about it.

I didnt want to do sport as I didnt want anyone to see me in the shower. It was extremely uncomfortable and itchy, as it was in my hair, under my breasts and down my back.

It came down my hairline and had gone up my neck, so I could not cover it up. My school uniform is black, so I had severe dandruff and I was bullied.

At one time, I was hospitalised for 12 weeks and had to have coal tar baths.

I didnt have much of an adolescence as I was not able to socialise much. I felt very isolated. I did have a few good friends, who I still see now. They would sit around while I was in the house having my treatment put on.

I managed to get better with the treatments until I was 18/19. But as other women were going out and spent ages getting ready, wearing fake tan and perfume, I was putting on cold tar and had greasy hair which smelt. It was not fun.

In her late teens, Paula began to work at The Waterfront pub on Preston docklands, where she met her first boyfriend.

But when they broke up, her psoriasis flared up.

She reveals: I was mortified and the psoriasis came back. I was hospitalised for longer but it got better with treatment.

I had to put the coal tar on and lie there for six hours until I could take it off.

Paula and her boyfriend got back together and they moved to Herefordshire, working in different pubs when she was 21.

She sailed through life again, as they got married and had two children and she set up her own clothes boutique.

Whilst the psoriasis was always there, she was able to keep it under control.

But four years ago, Paula faced a more stressful time, as she split from her husband and moved back to Preston.

She says: I went through a traumatic time as I was going through a divorce. We are still friends but we grew apart and he worked away a lot.

I had all that trauma going on and I was struggling again with psoriasis. I was always sore internally and my body was inflamed. It was getting better in the summer when the sun was getting to my skin and I was eating healthier and doing a lot of exercise. But my skin would be bad in winter.

I would be drinking more as I was uncomfortable and eating unhealthily.

Paula started to get her life back on track and although she struggled at first to find a job, she started working at The Hidden Jem, in Lytham.

But in February, she developed strep throat and she was suffering from anxiety, which caused the psoriasis to return.

She adds: I had to take one day a week off to have an appointment with my GP and start with the steroid cream. It was so soul destroying and painful.

It was beginning to have an impact on my self worth. I never felt clean as I had treatment on. The only place I felt comfortable was in the bath.

So I began researching.

Thats when I found Hanna Sillitoe, who had started her own blog, and it was like reading my own story, as she struggled with psoriasis. I read My Goodness Recipes and Radiant, as she went through the process of elimination in her diet.

She started juicing and cleansing, so I bought a juicer on eBay.

I went cold turkey and juiced every day. I was drinking celery juice, cucumber, apple juice, and spinach juice. I had that three times for three days and I was drinking so much water in between to cleanse. Then I had soups and salads every day for a fortnight.

I had no dairy, meat or alcohol and within 17 days, my psoriasis was clear. It felt like a miracle.

I felt incredible and nothing hurt anymore.

Paula has now been following a vegan-based diet and combined with simple coconut and salt baths, her psoriasis has been kept at bay.

She also lost a significant amount of weight, dropping from a size 20 to a size 10.

She admits: I follow the rules but I fall off the wagon every now and again as you have to have a good life balance. You dont have to be so stringent, so I may have a drink, but I know what to do if I get too bad, as I just go on a juice diet for a few days.

You can stop eating something for a few days, then reintroduce and stop something else.

The feeling I have now is worth giving up a few ingredients, as it is beneficial to my health.

Hanna Sillitoe had suffered from severe psoriasis, eczema and acne for more than 20 years.

When her doctor told her the only remaining treatment was chemotherapy, she began researching diet and skin, which produced dramatic results.

Now free from all skin complaints, she compiled a book, Radiant, which features a detailed 28 day life changing plan alongside more than 100 skin focused recipes.

She has also appeared on Dragons Den, pitching her concept, which also includes natural, botanical skin care products.

For more information visit http://www.hannasillitoe.com.

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Here is how turning vegan cured Paula's psoriasis - Lancashire Post

Researchers used ultrasound to investigate the anatomical basis for arthralgia symptoms and found that tenosynovitis was the only significant difference in patients who went on to develop psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Patients with psoriasis who experience nonspecific musculoskeletal symptoms and joint symptoms, or arthralgia, are more likely to develop PsA; in addition, a condition called enthesitis (when inflammation and pain occurs where tendons and ligaments meet bones) is more likely. Because joint damage can occur early in the course of PsA, early disease recognition and treatment is vital, the researchers noted.

In this study, researchers used ultrasound (US) to investigate the anatomical basis for joint symptoms in arthralgia and the link between these imaging findings and later development of PsA; a cross-sectional prevalence analysis of clinical and ultrasound abnormalities was performed in patients with psoriasis, PsA, and arthralgia. The multicenter study in Italy involved 61 patients with arthralgia, 57 patients with psoriasis, and 57 healthy controls.

Tenosynovitis was the only significant sonographic feature that differed between those with arthalgia and psoriasis (29.5% vs 5.3%;P <.001), although synovitis and enthesitis were numerically more frequent in arthalgia.

Five patients in the arthalgia group and 1 in the psoriasis group developed PsA, with an incidence rate of 109.2 per 1000 person-years in the arthralgia group versus 13.4 per 1000 person-years in the psoriasis group (P = .03).

In addition, a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, a Health Assessment Questionnaire, joint tenderness, and US active enthesitis were baseline variables associated with PsA development.

Compared with patients with psoriasis alone (as well as healthy controls), patientswith both psoriasis and arthalgia had a higher mean (SD) VAS pain score of4(2.35) versus2(2.39) (P<.001) and tender joints count of 2.98 (4.7) vs 0.49 (0.98) (P<.001).

Looking at US results, 18 of the 61 (29.5%) patients with arthalgia showed tenosynovitis in at least 1 region as evaluated by grey scale synovitis (grade 1 in 17/18 patients and grade 2 in 1/18), compared with 3 of the 57 patients with psoriasis (5.3%) (P <.001) and 2/57 (3.5%) in healthy controls, all grade 1 for psoriasis and controls.

While sonographically determined synovitis, enthesitis, and tenosynovitis were numerically more frequent in the arthralgia group compared with the psoriasis group, only tenosynovitis was statistically significant in patients with arthralgia.

However, only enthesitis, as determined by US, was linked to the future evolution of PsA, but tenosynovitis was not.

These findings are relevant for enriching for subjects at risk of imminent PsA development, the authors said.

Reference

Zabotti A, McGonagle DG, Giovanni I, et al. Transition phase towards psoriatic arthritis: clinical and ultrasonographic characterisation of psoriatic arthralgia [published online October 23, 2019].RMD Open. doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2019-001067.

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Development of PsA Linked to Tenosynovitis in Patients With Arthralgia - AJMC.com Managed Markets Network

Singer-songwriter Cyndi Lauper first joined Novartis Cosentyx team as a spokesperson more than four years ago, and the two are still churning out initiatives.

The latest is an unbranded awareness campaign to open up frank discussions about psoriasis stigma in the workplace.The effort, called PsO at Work, was inspired by psoriasis patients who have talked to Novartis over the past five years about the challenges of having psoriasis at work. Those include feeling embarrassed about visible plaques and flaking skin and the stigma caused by the inaccurate perception that the condition is contagious, a Novartis spokesman said in an email interview.

RELATED: In Novartis' newest Cosentyx push, active, real-life patients take center stage

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PsO at Work aims to empower patients to feel comfortable speaking up about how psoriasis impacts them in the workplace and how they manage and deal with it, he said.

Lauper shares her own story online at PsOatWork.com and a social media effort encourages others to add their own experiences with the hashtag #PsOatWork.

Whether you are a performer, teacher or office manager, psoriasis can be a challenge at work and impact your ability to perform at your best," Lauper said in a press release. "Learning to figure out how to manage my psoriasis has allowed me to continue doing what I love while still standing out in the crowdbut not because of my psoriasis."

The unbrandedeffort comes on the heels of another round of Cosentyx branded TV ads, debuted recently, that include Lauper talking about her personal psoriasis journey over the past four years.

The new ads include several with Lauper and other real-life patients together and individually as they touttheir four or fiveyears of clear skin while using Cosentyx. The ads continue the "See Me" theme, begun three years ago.

The spokesman was clear that while Lauper appears in both campaigns, the two efforts are distinct and separate. Lauper has done other awareness work for Novartis previously,dating back to2015.

Although Cyndi does appear in branded advertisements, this (PoS at Work) initiative is about raising awareness of psoriasis and validating the experiences of people living with the condition, not drug. As the spokesperson for the campaign, Cyndi plays an important role as both an advocate and someone who has experienced the impact of psoriasis at work, he said.

RELATED:Lilly tees up another Novartis battle with ankylosing spondylitis OK for Taltz

Cosentyx was first approved in early 2015 to treat plaque psoriasis and added approved indications for ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis in early 2016. Its chief competitor is Eli Lillys Taltz, another IL-17A inhibitor that now also compete in all three indications. With new phase 3 data in spondyloarthritis, Novartis is looking to make it four.

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Novartis, Cyndi Lauper shine a light on psoriasis challenges in the workplace - FiercePharma

Patients with psoriasis who do not receive proper disease education may not adhere to treatment, which can lead to worse outcomes, The American Journal of Managed Care reported. According to the article, a recent study examined the effect of an educational program on knowledge and self-expertise about psoriasis for patients with the disease. Patients were asked to fill out 2 questionnaires about disease knowledge, therapy adherence, and therapy satisfaction before and after the educational program. Overall, the educated patients showed a significant increase in knowledge, self-expertise about their disease, and general health after the program, the article reported.

Officials with the FDA declined to approve Adamis Pharmaceuticals opioid overdose treatment Zimhi, the company announced in a press release. According to Adamis, Zimhi, which is a naloxone pre-filled single-dose syringe, is designed to deliver high doses of naloxone for the emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose. In a Complete Response Letter sent to the manufacturer, the FDA questioned the treatments manufacturing process, but not its safety or effectiveness, the release said.

A recent study suggests that antibiotic exposure may be linked to the risk of developing Parkinson disease, MD Magazine reported. According to the article, the study included 13,976 patients, as well as 40,697 control patients. Overall, the authors found that exposure to antianaerobics and tetracyclines 10 to 15 years before the index data, as well as suflonamides and trimethoprim 1 to 5 years before the index date and antifungal medication 1 to 5 years before the index date were positively associated with Parkinson disease risk, the article reported.

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Trending News Today: Patients with Psoriasis Benefit from Disease Education - Pharmacy Times

Novartis and thePsoriasis Association of Malaysia have launched the Be Pso Positive campaign in a bid to createreal world actions for enhancing the lives of those who take this medical condition in their stride and continue to pursue their individual aspirations and passion.

Done in collaboration with Edelman Malaysia and Malaysian singer and song writer Zee Avi, the latest spot is said to be the worlds first petition for Psoriasis heroes.Encouraged by the last years initiative of convincing Psoriasis patients to confidently face the limelight, this years collaboration pushes the envelope by kickstarting a petition to makePsoriasis treatment more accessible to all. Meanwhile, Edelman said the music video with Zee will roll out next week.Edelman Malaysias MD, Mazuin Zin, said music has the powerto both heal and make consumers feel for something that might not otherwise affect their lives.

A reason we decided to anchor our activism around scripting perhaps worlds first musical petition celebrating the lives of our Psoriasis heroes, their beliefs and aspirations. This truly is a demonstration how a brand walks the talk on its purpose in order to create an earned attention, she explained.

Mazuin added that the veryact of sitting down with those braving this medical condition and penning down their lifes aspirations with a professional lyricist brings out the key aspect that this medical condition is much deeper than a mere skin condition.

Through this musical journey we wish to educate both the sufferers and their care givers the aspect of how this condition can have much deeper manifestations in terms of psoriatic arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and depression, among others, she added.

Excerpt from:
Novartis and Edelman create musical petition for Psoriasis heroes - Marketing Interactive

IMPORTANCE:

Psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skindiseaseassociated with accelerated noncalcifiedcoronaryburden (NCB) bycoronarycomputed tomography angiography (CCTA), accelerates lipoprotein oxidation in the form of oxidized modified lipoproteins. A transmembrane scavenger receptor for these oxidized modified lipoproteins is lectinlike oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1), which has been reported to be associated withcoronary artery disease. It is unknown whether this receptor is associated withcoronary artery diseasein psoriasis.

To assess the association between soluble LOX-1 (sLOX-1) and NCB in psoriasis over time.

In a cohort study at the National Institutes of Health, 175 consecutive patients with psoriasis were referred from outpatient dermatology practices between January 1, 2013, and October 1, 2017. A total of 138 consecutively recruited patients with psoriasis were followed up at 1 year.

Circulating soluble lectinlike oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 levels were measured blindly by field scientists running undiluted serum using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Coronarycomputed tomography angiography scans were performed to quantify NCB in all 3 major epicardialcoronaryarteries by a reader blinded to patient demographics, visit, and treatment status.

Among the 175 patients with psoriasis, the mean (SD) age was 49.7 (12.6) years and 91 were men (55%). The cohort had relatively low median cardiovascular risk by Framingham risk score (median, 2.0 [interquartile range (IQR), 1.0-6.0]) and had a mean (SD) body mass index (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) suggestive of overweight profiles (29.6 [6.0]). Elevated sLOX-1 levels were found in patients with psoriasis compared with age- and sex-matched controls (median, 210.3 [IQR, 110.9-336.2] vs 83.7 [IQR, 40.1-151.0]; P<.001), and were associated with Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) score (=0.23; 95% CI, 0.082-0.374; P=.003). Moreover, sLOX-1 was associated with NCB independent of hyperlipidemia status (=0.11; 95% CI, 0.016-0.200; P=.023), an association which persisted after adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors, statin use, and biologic psoriasis treatment (=0.10; 95% CI, 0.014-0.193; P=.03). At 1 year, in those who had clinical improvement in PASI (eg, >50% improvement), a reduction in sLOX-1 (median, 311.1 [IQR, 160.0-648.8] vs median, 224.2 [IQR, 149.1 427.4]; P=.01) was associated with a reduction in NCB (=0.14; 95% CI, 0.028-0.246; P=.02).

Soluble lectinlike oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 levels were elevated in patients with psoriasis and were associated with severity of skindisease. Moreover, sLOX-1 associated with NCB independent of hyperlipidemia status, suggesting that inflammatory sLOX-1 induction may modulate lipid-rich NCB in psoriasis. Improvement of skindiseasewas associated with a reduction of sLOX-1 at 1 year, demonstrating the potential role of sLOX-1 in inflammatory atherogenesis in psoriasis.

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Association Between Soluble Lectinlike Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor-1 and Coronary Artery Disease in Psoriasis - DocWire News

It's an inflammatory, chronic skin condition that happens when your skin cells' natural turnover rate rapidly increasesresulting in dry, itchy, sometimes painful patches. It commonly appears on the elbows, knuckles, and scalp; it can, however, appear anywhere on the body.

The disease affects 8 million people in the United States and usually presents itself between 15 and 25, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation. We don't fully know what causes it, but it's related to the immune system, genetics, and environmental factors, Barr tells us.

"It's thought to be related to an immune system issue with T-cells, specifically T-regulator cells as well as other white blood cells, called neutrophils. While T-cells normally travel through the body to defend against foreign substances, such as viruses or bacteria, if you have psoriasis, the T-cells attack healthy skin cells as if to heal a wound or to fight an infection," Barr says. This triggers the increased production of healthy cells, resulting in the lesions. "Dilated blood vessels in psoriasis-affected areas also create warmth and redness," she says.

That's why it's vital to address inflammation in your treatment, as noted above.

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Can You Treat Psoriasis Naturally? We Found The 5 Best Home Remedies - mindbodygreen.com