Excerpt from Psoriasis

Synonyms, Key Words, and Related Terms: psoriasis, discoid psoriasis, plaque psoriasis, guttate psoriasis, skin disorder, skin lesions, oral psoriasis, nail psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, scalp psoriasis, erythrodermic psoriasis, pustular psoriasis, inverse psoriasis

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Background

Psoriasis is a noncontagious skin disorder that most commonly appears as inflamed, edematous skin lesions covered with a silvery white scale. The most common type of psoriasis is plaque psoriasis.

Flares may be related to systemic or environmental factors, including life stress events and infections.

Discoid/plaque psoriasis is the most common type and is characterized by patches on the scalp, trunk, and limbs. The nails may be pitted and/or thickened.

Psoriasis may occur on the oral mucosa as well, although it is rare.

Pathophysiology

The skin is the primary organ affected, but joints also are affected in 10% of cases.

Frequency

United States

Between 2 and 2.6% of the US population is affected. Between 150,000 and 260,000 new cases of psoriasis occur annually.

International

Incidence of psoriasis is dependent on the climate and genetic heritage of the population. It is less common in the tropics and in dark-skinned persons.

Mortality/Morbidity

Four hundred people die annually from psoriasis-related causes in the US.
Approximately 1.5 million people with psoriatic arthritis seek medical care each year in the US.

Race

Psoriasis is more common in whites.

Sex

Psoriasis is slightly more common in women.

Age

Approximately 10-15% of new cases begin in children younger than 10 years. The median age at onset is 28 years.

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