Despite therapeutic advances, around 20% of patients with moderate to severe psoriasis still suffer from lesions and an impaired quality of life.
Psoriasis is a common skin disease. More than 2 million French people are affected, including 100,000 children. This autoimmune skin condition is characterized by red patches covered with scabs on the elbows, knees or scalp. Stigmatizing and sometimes disabling manifestations not relieved by current treatments for 1 in 5 patients, reports a study published in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment.
Researchers at the University of Umea (Sweden) reached these conclusions by interviewing more than 2,600 patients receiving systemic treatments for psoriasis (tablets or capsules, subcutaneous or intramuscular injections, and intravenous infusions) . But it appears that these drugs are not effective in all patients.
After 3 months of treatment, around 18% of patients still complain of extensive plaques on the body, and feel that their quality of life is still affected by this autoimmune disease. The least relieved patients appear to be the youngest participants with the highest BMI. They are also those who suffer the most from psoriatic arthritis and the most likely to smoke. However, scientific literature shows that obesity and smoking worsen the symptoms of psoriasis.
Manage obesity and smoking
“Our results suggest that the available treatments are not effective enough to treat these forms of psoriasis,” notes Marcus Schmitt-Egenolf, author responsible for the work. Thus, in order to better control their disease, patients need access to new treatments such as biotherapies ”. Ten years ago, the treatment of moderate to severe forms experienced a small revolution with the arrival on the market of biotherapies (TNF alpha and interleukins). Thanks to these less toxic drugs, patients have seen their skin lesions reduced and their quality of life improved.
In view of these results, the Swedish researchers recommend that patients not yet benefiting from biotherapies be able to access them. For those who are already following these treatments, a new therapeutic choice should be considered. They also indicate that patients should be encouraged to change their lifestyle. The treatment of psoriasis should in particular integrate the management of obesity and smoking cessation in order to alleviate symptoms and improve sensitivity to treatment.
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