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 Psoriasis
Information
Primary Source of this Information: National
Psoriasis Foundation
Psoriasis Prevalence in Population
- Psoriasis affects 125 million people worldwide, or 2-3% of
the population
- 2.2% of American adults have been diagnosed with psoriasis
- Prevalence is 1.3% of African Americans compared with 2.5% of
Caucasians
- 60% report that psoriasis affects their quality of daily life
- The larger the affected area, the greater the negative impact
on quality of life
- Psoriasis affects males and females equally, though it may
have a greater impact on quality of life in women
and younger patients
Causes of Psoriasis
- Causes are unknown.
- Scientists believe that some type of biochemical triggers the
abnormally high skin cell growth that creates psoriasis lesions.
- Genetics plays a role, though the specifics are unclear.
- Environmental factors may include physical trauma to skin,
infections, and stress can trigger the onset.
Age of Onset
- Psoriasis can develop at any age
- Psoriasis most often appears between the ages of 15 and 25
- Psoriatic arthritis usually develops between ages 30 and 50
Genetic Aspects of psoriasis
- About 1 in 3 people with psoriasis have a relative with
psoriasis
- If one parent has psoriasis, a child has a 10% chance of
having psoriasis
- If both parents have psoriasis, a child has a 50% chance of
having psoriasis
Psoriasis Treatment and its Costs
- There is no cure for psoriasis.
- Treatments exist to clear psoriasis for periods of time.
- Finding the right combination of treatments often takes some
experimentation.
- Recent studies show that treatment for an individual over a
lifetime range from $7000 for home phototherapy to over $300,000 for Etanercept
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