RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Psoriasis: guidance on assessment and referral
JF Clinical Medicine
JO Clin Med
FD Royal College of Physicians
SP 178
OP 182
DO 10.7861/clinmedicine.14-2-178
VO 14
IS 2
A1 Eleanor J Samarasekera
A1 Catherine H Smith
YR 2014
UL http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/14/2/178.abstract
AB This concise guideline summarises the key recommendations from the recent National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) clinical guideline on the assessment and management of psoriasis (CG153) that are relevant to the non-dermatologist. The aim is to highlight important considerations for assessment and referral of people with psoriasis, including identification of relevant comorbid conditions. Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin condition and, especially when severe, can be associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and depression. Functional, psychological and social morbidity can also be encountered, and the extent of the disability is frequently underestimated. Importantly, highly effective treatments are available. Appropriate assessment and referral of people with psoriasis therefore has the potential to improve outcomes by correctly identifying the appropriate treatment pathway. Assessment should involve not only disease severity but also the impact on patient well-being and whether the patient has any comorbid conditions, such as psoriatic arthritis, which requires rapid referral to a rheumatologist.