Identifying and treating patients with psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory condition involving the skin, other organs and joints. It occurs in up to 2.2% of the population in the UK, equally in men and women, and is more common in white people.¹ Psoriasis patients undergo exacerbations and remissions, which may be triggered by a number of factors. Patients with psoriasis are also more liable to develop cardiovascular diseases, obesity, liver disease and diabetes.²

The practice nurse will frequently encounter cases of psoriasis. Some patients may be distressed by their condition, while others have learned to live with it. Those with a new rash may seek a diagnosis or established cases may worry about their appearance or failure to respond to recommended treatment. The practice nurse should be able to make and/or confirm the diagnosis, recommend approaches to management, recognise complications and be aware of those cases that need referral for further advice and treatment.