Psoriasis Symptoms and Special Areas

Psoriasis is a heterogeneous disease that can manifest across various areas of skin through various symptoms. Patients who have psoriasis in certain areas or who are affected by certain symptoms may consider their condition to be severe, even with limited skin involvement.^1-3

Impact of Special Symptoms

Psoriasis may feel severe irrespective of the extent of skin involvement when it causes certain symptoms.¹ For example, itch, which is reported by ~60% of patients with moderate skin involvement, was indicated as an important factor contributing to disease severity.^4,5

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The Deep Impact of Moderate Psoriasis: Special Areas and Symptoms of Psoriasis

The second chapter in this video series explores the disproportionately
large impact certain areas, like the scalp and nails, or symptoms, like itch,
can have on patients.

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Impact of Special Areas

Manifestations in certain locations, termed “special areas,” can have a disproportionately large impact on patients. The International Psoriasis Council defines special areas as the face, palms, soles, genitalia, scalp, or nails.¹ These special areas are prevalent among patients with psoriasis, even those with more limited skin involvement. For example, in patients with moderate disease, the scalp is impacted in up to 58% of patients, and nails are impacted in up to 31% of patients.⁶

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Model highlighting special areas, prevalence of psoriasis in those areas, and how these regions can impact disease severity.

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Psoriasis Severity

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References

Strober B, et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020;82(1):117-122.
Menter A, et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;80(4):1029-1072.
Van Voorhees AS, et al. The Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Pocket Guide: Treatment Algorithms and Management Options. 6th ed. www.psoriasis.org/physician-member-benefits-portal/. Accessed June 8, 2021.
Griffiths CEM, et al. Br J Dermatol. 2018;179(1):173-181.
Lebwohl MG, et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014;70(5):871-881, e1-e30.
Egeberg A, et al. BMC Dermatol. 2020;20(1):3.