Tuesday, October 29, to organize World Psoriasis Day, events are organized throughout France to inform and mobilize around this disease still too little known.
More than 125 million people are said to have psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis worldwide. This non-contagious inflammatory skin disease that can affect different parts of the body (elbow, knees, scalp, etc.) is characterized by the appearance of thick patches of skin that come off in the form of white scales. At present, it is still very little known to the general public or suffers from prejudices that offend patients. To remedy this, attract the attention of health authorities and encourage patients to manage their illness independently and responsibly, a worldwide consortium of patient associations has created the world psoriasis day. Its 16th edition takes place on Tuesday, October 29.
Whereas in France, 24% of young people aged 15 to 30 have never heard of psoriasis and 22% imagine, wrongly, that this disease is linked to poor hygiene, this day aims in particular to transmit information on the disease and the limitations it entails. Indeed, according to a recent survey by France Psoriasis, 10% of young sufferers say that the disease very often prevents them from going to high school, university or to an appointment.
This is why, in France, demonstrations and hospitals organize various public demonstrations all over the country on the occasion of this day. The most publicized: that of bus “Psoriasis let’s talk about it” in Brittany. “Three distinct information spaces will be set up on board the bus to better know and understand the disease and learn to live with it. Patients will be able to gather information, advice and support from health professionals present on site but also from members of the association”, explains the France Psoriasis association which is organizing the event in collaboration with the University Hospital of Rennes.
60,000 new cases diagnosed each year in France
Throughout the day, conferences will be led by specialists and visitors will be able to discover a web series featuring a teenager who discovers her illness and shares her experience through “short and quirky videos” or the photo exhibition “My Life comes before illness”, created by the association, which also intends to introduce patients to the DailyPso application in order to better manage their illness.
In France, the latter affects more than 2.3 million people. Each year, 60,000 new cases are diagnosed. It is an inflammatory and chronic skin disease that affects people who are genetically predisposed and most often very stressed. The disease induces an abnormal reaction of skin cell renewal. New skin cells are created and pushed to the surface at a rate that does not eliminate dead ones. Hence the characteristic plaques of psoriasis. The latter is not serious but evolves by slow and long pushes.
In all, 25% of cases are moderate to severe forms, 3% of patients declare their disease before the age of 20 (these are often the most serious forms) and 10 to 30% of patients suffering from skin involvement have a joints. These joint forms can be serious and lead to permanent disability. The treatment involves a skin charge (anti-inflammatory corticosteroids to be applied locally, cytostatic drugs, etc.), but the psychological dimension of the disease must also be taken care of by a specialist. Unfortunately, according to the figures, one out of two patients does not receive treatment, which can have serious consequences. The associations therefore hope that the World Day granted to the disease will change the situation.
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