Management of psoriasis

Treatments for psoriasis often present a therapeutic challenge to physicians because, besides affecting the skin, psoriasis may be associated with various comorbidities (for instance, depression, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn’s disease and, in severe psoriasis, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases). Written by renowned experts, this volume gives a comprehensive overview of psoriasis and its various comorbidities. It describes the treatment modalities for mild and moderate-to-severe psoriasis, including topical, phototherapeutic and conventional systemic treatments (e. g. acitretine, methotrexate and cyclosporine), as well as biological therapies (e. g. alefacept, etanercept, adalimumab and infliximab). The chapters on biological therapies focus on key safety issues. Further included are chapters on the management of childhood psoriasis and psoriasis in distinctive locations, such as the scalp, face, flexures, palm/soles and nails. Finally, future therapeutic modalities, with the focus on small molecules and potential biological therapies, are discussed. This publication will make significant reading to dermatologists and all physicians dealing with psoriasis, in particular general practitioners, psychiatrists, rheumatologists, cardiologists and diabetologists.