On World Psoriasis Day, the International Federation of Psoriasis Associations, IFPA, brings attention to the tools respondents from 90 countries have identified to help build a better world for people with psoriasis, by participating in an online survey launched in June. The preliminary results of the survey show a clear consensus – the top tool voted for is Educating the patients about treatment options.
On World Psoriasis Day, the International Federation of Psoriasis Associations, IFPA, brings attention to the tools respondents from 90 countries have identified to help build a better world for people with psoriasis, by participating in an online survey launched in June. The preliminary results of the survey show a clear consensus – the top tool voted for is Educating the patients about treatment options.
Lars Ettarp, President of IFPA, comments: “Patients wish to be well-informed about treatment options, especially when they have a chronic condition such as psoriasis, so that they can make important decisions regarding their disease management and care together with their doctors. An informed patient is an empowered patient, and clearly this specific type of information is something that IFPA and its regional and national member associations must continue to focus on and develop even further in their future strategic work. The WHO psoriasis resolution, which was extensively advocated for by IFPA and its members, points out the need for ‘multilateral efforts to promote and improve human health, providing access to treatment and health care education’, so this should definitely be a priority.”
Psoriasis is a serious, chronic, inflammatory, non-communicable disease for which there is currently no cure. According to an official WHO report on psoriasis, the disease affects around 2% of the global population, with an even higher prevalence in some countries. Yet, even though it is a quite common disease, which also carries with it an extensive physical, psychosocial and socioeconomic burden, there are still many gaps in the understanding of the disease itself and its management.
**Need for more information about serious comorbid conditions
The survey also shows a need for more information on the serious comorbid conditions associated with, primarily severe, psoriasis. “A number of serious conditions have been shown to be associated with psoriasis, such as psoriatic arthritis, metabolic syndrome, diabetes type II and cardiovascular disease. These are conditions that both the patients and the healthcare professionals need to be aware of, so that their psoriasis is managed and monitored correctly”, says Dr Hoseah Waweru, Vice President of IFPA and President of the Psoriasis Association in Kenya.
Building a better world for people with psoriasis IFPA, its members and partner organisations are committed to building a better world for people with psoriasis, and World Psoriasis Day and the global survey are in themselves excellent tools to raise awareness. Josef de Guzman, IFPA Treasurer and Chairman of the World Psoriasis Day Steering Committee adds: “World Psoriasis Day is a truly global campaign that aims to raise awareness of psoriasis and the many millions who live with this disease. Through World Psoriasis Day, and the survey, we hope that we can identify a clear path forward, towards a society where people with psoriasis can participate fully and be free from the added burdens of stigma and discrimination. We hope that many more people with psoriasis, the physicians that treat them, and their friends and families take part in the survey, so that all of us who act and speak on their behalf may be successful in building a better world for them.”
