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STOCKHOLM--(BUSINESSWIRE)-- World Psoriasis Day, October 29, 2012

Psoriasis is a serious, inflammatory, noncommunicable disease, associated with an increased risk of developing severe co-morbid conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and psoriatic arthritis, as well as depression and even suicidal ideation.[i] But yet there is a lack of recognition in many parts of the world for the seriousness, and severity, of psoriasis. In many countries, even getting the correct diagnosis can be a great difficulty. Dr Hoseah Waweru, Dermatologist and Vice President of IFPA states: In Kenya there are thirty dermatologists to a population of forty million. Most people with psoriasis will never see a dermatologist in their lives.

Psoriasis must be recognized as the serious disease it is. Psoriasis affects men and women of all countries and regions; it knows no borders. That is why it is imperative that the worlds leading health organization, WHO, recognizes psoriasis as the serious disease it is. Kathleen Gallant, Secretary of IFPA and Chair of IFPAs Task Force on NCDs, highlights the importance of this: All national health authorities need to be made aware of the physical, emotional and socioeconomic impacts of psoriasis, and include psoriasis in the public health agenda. By providing access to effective treatments, and by educating the medical professionals on how to correctly diagnose and treat psoriasis, a huge burden may be lifted both from the individuals suffering from the disease, as well as the society they live in.

Psoriasis is a global health challenge but there is hope. Psoriasis is a challenging disease, both to live with and to treat, but Lars Ettarp, President of IFPA, points out that there is hope for the future: Great advances have been made in the field of psoriasis, medically, scientifically and technologically. But now we have to ensure that these breakthroughs are made available to all people with psoriasis all over the globe.

About IFPA and World Psoriasis Day: IFPA, together with all its national member associations, is working to improve the quality of life for people suffering from psoriasis. Towards this end we are all united in a yearly World Psoriasis Day campaign, on October 29. In 2012 we are focusing on psoriasis as a global health challenge, and are asking all policy makers to put psoriasis on the agenda now, through a world-wide photo campaign. To read more about the campaign and view the photos, please visit http://www.worldpsoriasisday.com.

[i] Please see IFPAs report Psoriasis is a serious disease deserving global attention, available for download from http://www.ifpa-pso.org.

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International Federation of Psoriasis Associations: Put Psoriasis on the Agenda Now!

LONDON, October 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that affects more than 125 million people around the globe.[1],[2] People living with psoriasis experience flare-ups of sore and itchy skin,[1],[3] but the psychological effects of psoriasis can have an even greater impact on their everyday lives.[4]-[6]

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20110606/460992 ) (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121027/570724-b )

A recent survey conducted amongst 1,036 members of the UK general public, highlighted that psoriasis is understood to have a large psychological impact, with 82% agreeing that it could have huge impact on quality of life. However, nearly one third still mistook psoriasis for a contagious condition. Such common misconceptions and a lack of empathy can add greatly to the psychological burden of the disease.[7]

The Burden of Psoriasis patient research is one of the largest international studies to date investigating the impact that psoriasis has on people's lives. Patients involved in the qualitative stage of the study reported reactions of disgust and fear in response to their psoriasis, and their distress at having to cope with unnecessary comments, questions and staring.[8]

"There is still a huge lack of understanding about psoriasis in theUK," commented Dr Anthony Bewley, Whipps Cross University Hospital & Barts & the London NHS Trust, and Burden of Psoriasis patient research investigator. "We need to educate the general public about the psychological impact of the disease as they can play such an important role in helping to reduce the stigma associated with psoriasis."

Despite the recognition of the potential impact on quality of life, nearly 80% of people surveyed agreed that psoriasis is still a greatly misunderstood condition and 78% agreed that society has an important role to play in reducing stigma.

How does psoriasis impact on quality of life?

Further analyses of the findings from the quantitative stage of Burden of Psoriasis patient research were presented at the 21st EADV Congress in Prague, Czech Republic last month. The results showed that feelings of restriction, isolation, stigmatisation and anxiety are all associated with a high impact of psoriasis on patients' quality of life; and are actually more important than diagnosed symptom severity.[6]

Having learnt more about the everyday impact of psoriasis by reading a patient diary, over half of people questioned in the survey agreed that if they suffered from psoriasis they would likely feel depressed (56%) or anxious about meeting new people (58%).

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UK Survey Calls for Further Education to Help Eliminate Common Misconceptions About Psoriasis

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

A new report,2 Recognising the life impact of psoriasis released today at a Parliamentary reception hosted by Paul Beresford MP, Chair of the All Parliamentary Group on Skin (Skin APPG), has unveiled an urgent need for multi-disciplinary care for people suffering with psoriasis. For the first time, the Psoriasis Association has collaborated with the Mental Health Foundation as part of the See Psoriasis: Look Deeper campaign. Along with other leading experts, the collaboration calls for the impact of psoriasis on a persons psychological wellbeing and overall quality of life, to be better recognised by politicians, the NHS and patients and their families. The See Psoriasis: Look Deeper initiative is funded by an educational grant from the global healthcare company Abbott.

Speaking to MPs from across the country, the collaboration together with patient groups and healthcare professionals, highlighted that the wider effects of psoriasis can go unrecognised by most. Psoriasis is estimated to effect up to 1.8 million people in the UK,3 the multi-faceted nature of psoriasis means the psychological impact of the condition can be just as debilitating as the physical symptoms. Approximately one third of psoriasis patients experience depression and anxiety,1 with 1 in 10 admitting to contemplating suicide.4 However, healthcare professionals tend to focus on the physical symptoms and often overlook asking patients about their psychological wellbeing.

Dr Christine Bundy, a member of the collaboration and Senior Lecturer in Behavioural Medicine at the University of Manchester says, There is often a cyclical link between the physical and psychological impact of psoriasis. The condition can cause emotional distress and worry for sufferers which can trigger a psoriasis flare and impact on progression of psoriasis, so patients can often feel trapped in a despairing cycle as they try to cope with their condition. We need to do more to ensure we are looking out for psychological symptoms and providing people with the condition the full support they need to manage psoriasis.

The Recognising the life impact of psoriasis report outlines calls to action for policy makers, emphasising an essential need for:

There is now more than ever, an opportunity to make a positive change for psoriasis patients via the NHS Commissioning Boards guidance to Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), NICE clinical guidance and Quality Standards and CCG referral pathways. With the cost of mental health services currently reaching 6.6 billion (National survey of investment in Adult Mental Health Services)5 this is a figure that could be increased if psychological wellbeing of psoriasis patients is not addressed.

Andrew McCulloch, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation adds: "The Mental Health Foundation has long called for the better integration of physical and mental health services. This includes routine assessment of the psychological needs of patients, in the light of the strong evidence of the inter-relationship and connection between physical health problems and mental health. It is essential that all staff supporting patients with a primary diagnosis of psoriasis are fully aware of the links between the two and are able to facilitate assessments and, where there is an assessed need, care and treatment that address all their health needs holistically".

The campaign also asks people with psoriasis to talk to their healthcare professional about the emotional impact psoriasis may be having on them, and to insist on help and support when needed.

Most people assume psoriasis just affects a person physically, however the affect is much deeper for patients that live with the condition day-to-day. All too often we hear from patients who are struggling with the emotional impact of psoriasis but do not feel able to ask their doctor for help. Some patients suggest that their GPs regard psoriasis as a minor complaint and do not consider the emotional aspects. We need doctors to treat people with psoriasis holistically, recognising the impact the condition can have on ones life, and we need patients to feel comfortable about proactively asking their doctors for help, knowing that they will be listened to says Helen McAteer from the Psoriasis Association.

To support the launch of the report and the See Psoriasis: Look Deeper campaign, patients were invited to submit a postcard addressed to their psoriasis to express how it impacts their daily lives and makes them feel. A creative display of the responses formed a central focus point at the launch event, demonstrating the support for the campaign and a need for change.

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Psoriasis Care Failing Patients

BEERSE, Belgium, October 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Pledge Your Support Today to Help Drive Much-needed Change for People With Psoriasis

Promising interim results from the Psoriasis Mandate have been released today to mark World Psoriasis Day. To date 1145 people across 40 European countries have pledged their support for five basic rights of people with psoriasis, but experts are urging people to keep signing the Mandate to drive much-needed improved standards of care.

To view the Multimedia News Release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/53825-world-psoriasis-day

Professor Matthias Augustin, University Medical Center of Hamburg, Germany, and Chair of the European Expert Working Group for Healthcare in Psoriasis (EEWGHP) says "Psoriasis affects approximately 14 million[1],[2],[3] people across Europe and there is significant variation in the standard of care people receive. Great steps are being made in the management of psoriasis, but lack of awareness and understanding of the condition by policy-makers and the general public adds to the distressing stigmatisation of this disease. The Psoriasis Mandate is our opportunity to give a voice to people living with psoriasis; to help them demand the high quality care that they deserve - please sign it."

The Psoriasis Mandate launched earlier this year by the EEWGHP, Janssen* and The European Umbrella Organisation for Psoriasis Movements (EUROPSO) to provide an opportunity for the community at large, people with psoriasis and their healthcare professionals to pledge their support for achieving the best care possible for those living with psoriasis. Anyone can sign the Psoriasis Mandate (http://www.psoriasis360.com/psoriasis-mandate) to show their support for five key rights of people with psoriasis:

To date, 18% of people who have signed the Psoriasis Mandate have psoriasis, 19% have family members or friends across Europe with psoriasis, 21% are healthcare professionals, and 42% of signatures are from members of the public who simply support the cause, demonstrating the growing support and understanding of the need to help people living with this debilitating condition.

The Psoriasis Mandate followed the publication of the first-ever Psoriasis White Paper in July 2012 by the EEWGHP,[4] whose principle aim is to improve clinical outcomes and quality of life for the 14 million people living with psoriasis in Europe.[1],[2],[3] The White Paper addresses the under-treatment of psoriasis in Europe and provides a framework for action. It calls on healthcare organisations, healthcare professionals, European regulatory bodies, governments, industry, academia and patient advocacy groups to act together implement change. The Psoriasis White Paper is available free of charge via a special feature page on the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (JEADV) website (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1468-3083.2012.04576.x/full).

Mr. Ottfrid Hillmann, President of EUROPSO, says "For too long now psoriasis has been a low priority. These days it is possible for people with psoriasis to live a normal life, but that can only be achieved through early access to high quality care. We continue to call on all people involved in the management of psoriasis, including healthcare professionals, people with psoriasis, their families, and governments, to pledge their support to improve care across Europe. We are all working towards a brighter future for those with psoriasis, but this will only be achieved with a unified approach."

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Psoriasis Mandate Results Released to Mark World Psoriasis Day