Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease of unknown etiology that affects the skin, nails, and joints. The disease progresses with flare-ups and remissions, affecting 1–3% of the population. It can manifest at any age, but it is more common between the ages of 15–20 and then between 50–60.
Psoriasis is an immunological disease with a genetic predisposition, primarily caused by Th1 and Th17 cells, and is clinically characterized by epidermal hyperplasia and inflammatory infiltrates in the skin. Although the disease mainly manifests on the skin, psoriasis patients have been observed to have an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, indicating the systemic nature of psoriasis.
Despite the fact that comorbid conditions significantly worsen the patient's health and quality of life, they are often underdiagnosed and undertreated in cases of psoriasis. Today, early and effective anti-inflammatory treatment of psoriasis is considered important, as it allows addressing the systemic nature of the chronic disease.
The full article can be read on the University of Tartu's website.