Psoriasis International

2nd LATINAPSO Meeting

2010-06-29T17:16:18Z

The 2nd LATINAPSO meeting was held in Buenos Aires from May 26 to May 29. There were workshops about communications, media, fundraising, political approaches, advocacy, relations with the labs and coaching for networks.

Latinapso is on its way to get its legal permission. Once it has it (it will take quite some time…..), Latinapso will ask for the membership in IFPA as regional member, as Europso did. On the meantime you already have as members Mexico, Panama, Argentina, Chile, Colombia and the rest will come in the near future.

Latinapso leaders from Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Colombia, El Salvador, Panama, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Argentina and Brasil (Amazonia, Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro, Bahia, Sao Paolo, Ceara, Rio Grande do Sul).

14th Annual meeting of The Korean Society for Psoriasis

2010-06-29T16:31:35Z

The 14th Annual meeting of The Korean Society for Psoriasis (KSP) was held in May 15th, 2010 in Seoul Coex Intercontinental hotel. Korean Society for Psoriasis was founded in 1997 and 1st annual meeting was held in 1997. Annual meeting of KSP was held every year.

Program of Annual meeting of 14th KSP are as follows

1. Special lecture

1) Scalp psoriasis : Diagnosis and management by Dr. Downs Tony from UK

2) Psoriasis : What we know by professor Furue Masutaka from Japan

2. Educational lecture

1) Relationship between psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis

2) Nail psoriasis

3) Pustular and erythrodermic psoriasis

3. Free communication (8 subjects)

The expression of TH-17 related cytokines in psoriasis etc

4. Case report (11 subjects)

A case of exacerbation of pustular psoriasis during biologics therapy etc

Jai Il Youn M.D.,PhD.

Professor of Dermatology

Seoul National University

1st Psoriasis Patients Meeting in Chile

2010-06-18T15:30:11Z

PATIENT MEETING

On May 04, 2010 was held the 1st Chilean Psoriasis Patient Meeting in Santiago de Chile. This meeting was organised by the Corporación de Psoriasis de Chile (CORPSO).

There was an open invitation to this meeting sent to all psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis patients and to their families, as well as to whole community.

This meeting was a frank success, more than 100 people attended. The attendants made many consultations around a Round Table and shared a coffee to time to end the event.

Photos:

1) Alejandro Strull Galarce (CORPSO President ), Dr. Julio Cruz (RHeumatologist) Dra.Claudia de la Cruz (Coordinator of the Advisory Medical Board).

2) Carlos Camus Luders (Vice-president), Fabio Gonzales Castro (Executive Director), Dr. Enrique Mullins (Presidentof Chilean Dermatological Society), Dra. Claudia de la Cruz (Coordinator of the Advisory Medical Board), Alejandro Strull Galarce (President), Dr. Julio Cruz (Rheumatologist).

3) Alejandro Strull Galarce, CORPSO President

4) Participants to the meeting consulting the pannel

A FORUM of HOPE, the Philippines' National Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Conference 2010

2010-06-18T10:22:15Z

With the success of the Philippine Dermatological Society & PsorPhil's “Converging for A Better Understanding” - the National Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Conference (NPPAC) on 2008, the various committees are now finalizing the “A FORUM of HOPE”, NPPAC 2010. The "Forum of Hope" will be held on August 19, 2010. The venue will soon be finalized.

The following topics/subjects were chosen carefully by the scientific committee and leaders of PsorPhil.

a. Co-morbidities of Psoriasis

b. Current Trends on Controlling Moderate to Severe Psoriasis

c. Anti-Inflammatory Diet to Help Control Psoriasis

d. The Challenges in Child Psoriasis

e. Uncovering Scalp Psoriasis

f. Drug Induced Psoriasis Flare Up

g. Treating Nail Psoriasis

h. Psycho-Sexual Effects of Psoriasis

i. Managing Psoriatic Arthritis

j. In remission but…. (The Scars and Marks)

k. Pregnancy and Psoriasis

l. Psoriasis Caravan: A journey of Hope

During the NPPAC-2008 held at the Asian Institute of Management, were gathered hundred doctors and hundred patient leaders. The same number of doctors and patient leaders will be invited to this year's forum. And to accommodate the requests of Psorphil's chapter members and doctors in the provinces, the conference will be broadcasted via live streaming on Psorphil's website. Doctors and members from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao can now access the forum without leaving their provinces. This forum will have a more interactive feature and will include questions (via phone patch or through web) from doctors and members from various locations in the Philippines. While the doctor's forum will be exclusive to doctors (accessible via codes/passwords that will be given to them who will participate via web) the patients' forum will be available for general audience.

Since this is a precursor to the planned PsorASIA Congress in 2012, other PsorASIA Members will be invited to log-on and watch the conference through the live web streaming.

Psorphil's teams are open to suggestions and are available for talks regarding content, procedures, marketing and sponsorships. They will be glad to keep you abreast for any updates.

This year's NPPAC will not only reach audience from Metro Manila but the whole of the Philippines and Asia-Pacific as well.

"First Kyiv Dermatological days"

2010-06-18T10:19:49Z

"First Kyiv Dermatological days" Conference was held in Kyiv on April 29th, 2010, which was organized by NGO “Ukrainian Psoriasis Association" and "Institute of psoriasis and chronic dermatoses”.

It was divided into two modules: dermato-oncology and general dermatology.

Dermato-oncology module included topics dedicated to screening of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers, modern methods of diagnostic and treatment of skin tumors, features of interaction between dermatologist and pathohistological laboratories.

General Dermatology module included topics on Psoriasis (methods of treatment: topical, phototherapy, systemic and biological), Vitiligo, allergic dermatoses, acne.

The conference was targeted mainly on dermatologists of Kyiv and Kyiv region, but in fact we had guests from almost every part of Ukraine, encounting about 230 specialists. The event was quite successful and it is obvious that the conference will continue in 2nd Kyiv dermatological days in 2011.

For more information check the official website of theconference: www.kyivderm.org

Prof. Oleksandr Litus, President of NGO "Ukrainian Psoriasis Association"

Psoriasis - Israel

2010-05-25T08:05:54Z

General

Psoriasis has been the focus of much interest in Israel, and Israeli researchers have been at the forefront of psoriasis research over the past decade generating seminal contributions to the field, including the development of unique models for the disease such as the SCID mouse model and the delineation of key aspects of its pathogenesis.

The unique modality of psoriasis treatment in Israel is Dead Sea climatotherapy. This is the reason that a lot of research and clinical activities in Israel are concentrated on this modality. Climatotherapy is included in basic package coverage of all Israeli health providers as well as in some countries in Europe. The Dead Sea Research Center ( DSRC) in cooperation with the Israeli Society of Dermatology and Venereology (ISDV) has published clinical guidelines for climatotherapy.

Clinical activities

Clinical treatment of psoriasis in Israel includes all standard and more advanced topical, systemic and physical current therapeutic modalities, and is provided in accordance with international and national guidelines which have been published by the ISDV.

There are 7 dermatology inpatient departments in Israel. Each department has its own Psoriasis clinic with phototherapy unit, and day care center, where topical, physical, conventional systemic and biological treatments are provided in a tailored manner. Phototherapy units offer patients with phototherapeutic modalities including broad and narrow band UVB, oral, topical, and bath PUVA, targeted phototherapy for localized disease, and Goeckerman and Ingram regimens to patients with more extensive disease. The following is the list of dermatology departments, their chairs, and physicians responsible for the psoriasis clinics:

Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Prof. Arie Ingber, Prof. David Enk.
Haemek Medical Center, Afula, Dr. Dganit Rosenman, Dr. Michael Ziv.
Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tiqva, Prof. Michael David, Dr. Lev Pavlovsky.
Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Prof. Reuven Bergman, Dr. Michal Ramon.
Sheba Medical Center, Dr. Henri Trau, Dr. Felix Pavlotsky.
Soroka Medical Center, Beer Sheva, Prof. Sima Halevy, Dr. Dafna Hallel-Halevy.
Tel-Aviv Medical Center (TASMC), Prof. Eli Sprecher, Dr. Hagit Matz.

Research activities:

Clalit Health Services, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Dr. Arnon Cohen -

Epidemiological investigations regarding co morbidities in psoriasis have demonstrated an association between psoriasis and osteoporosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hepatitis C and celiac disease.
Development of a novel method for the assessment of psoriasis severity - Beer Sheva Psoriasis Severity Score (BPSS). A simple and useful instrument aimed to assess the severity of psoriasis which incorporates various factors that determine the physical and psychological impact of psoriasis. BPSS was adopted by Clalit Health Services (Southern District) as a routine scale for psoriasis severity in patients treated for psoriasis at the Dead Sea.
Climatotherapy at the Dead Sea for patients with psoriasis in community studies - after a 14 day course of treatment at the Dead Sea, PASI75 was achieved in more than half of the patients.

Laboratory for skin research, Rappaport Building, Technion Faculty of Medicune Prof. Amos Gilhar –

Utilizing the human/SCID mouse model to investigate the pathogenesis of psoriasis. It has been established that Natural Killer (NK) cells can induce psoriasis in non-involved skin from psoriasis patients depending upon Fas signaling.
The human/SCID mouse model is currently the best model for detecting the role of T cells in psoriasis and has been used, extensively, to test various therapies such as corticosteroids, cyclosporine and anti-CD11a mAb.

Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem –

Comparison of full hospitalization versus day-care hospitalization for the efficacy of psoriasis treatment
The impact of UVB dosing by skin spectrophotometer erythema/pigmentation readings versus conventional UVB dosing

The Joint Research Institute at the Dead Sea (RIDS) was established a few years ago to study the efficacy of Climatotherapy at the Dead Sea for skin diseases. RIDS consist of the DMZ Medical Center at The Dead Sea, the Department of Dermatology, Hadassah University Hospital and the Department of Dermatology, Ludwig Maximilian University Hospital, Munich, Germany.

Current activities of the RIDS include studies of the quality of life of psoriatic patients treated at the Dead Sea, the effect of climatotherapy on vitamin D levels, combined therapy of methotrexate and Dead Sea treatment for psoriasis.

Haemek Medical Center, Afula –

Pregnancy outcomes in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis.
Multicenter study of new biologic treatment (anti IL-17).

Rabin Medical Center –

The department psoriasis research group performs basic, clinical and translational research on topic of psoriasis:

Basic science research includes studies on understanding the molecular basis of stress involvement in psoriasis.
Translational projects include studies regarding immunogenetic basis of response to different modalities of phototherapy treatments, study on molecular and biochemical characteristics of psoriasis related metabolic syndrome (in collaboration with the DSRC).
Clinical studies include: Various phase studies on AS101, CANS101 and VB-201 - three new ant psoriatic drugs based on molecules discovered in Israel.

Rambam Medical Center –

Serum levels of autoantibodies to various cytokines involved in psoriasis.
Low expression of the IL-23/Th17 pathway in atopic dermatitis compared to psoriasis.

Sheba Medical Center –

Psoriasis studies, mostly biologically oriented, but topical and phototherapy studies as well.

Soroka Medical Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev,  Beer-Sheva -

Spa therapy for psoriatic arthritis at the Dead Sea.
Balneotherapy with Dead Sea Bath Salts for psoriasis: Clinical, Histological & Immunohistochemical studies.
Clinical, laboratory and epidemiological evaluation of drug-induced and drug-aggravated psoriasis and psoriasiform eruptions.

Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv

The department runs a several research programs focused on psoriasis and related disorders:

1. Clinical studies

(a)Two open labeled comparative studies of systemic treatments in psoriasis.

(b) Evaluation of Quantiferon responsiveness among psoriatic patients vs. general population.

(c) Identification of pharmacogenetic determinants of response to phototherapy using both global expression studies and genome wide association approaches (this project has recently led to the discovery of a novel type of marker capable of predicting response to phototherapeutic treatment)

2. Basic research

(a) Demonstration of the role of IGFBP7 in the regulation of keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation in psoriasis (recent data have shown that IGFBP7 can cure psoriasis in a mouse model).

(b) Development of an in vitro three dimensional model of psoriasis using genetic manipulation of organotypic cell cultures.

Israeli Psoriasis Association

The Israeli Psoriasis Association was established in the early 1970's, by a group of volunteers with the objective of consolidating psoriasis sufferers within an association. The Association is a member of the International Federation of Psoriasis Associations (IFPA). The Association together with leading dermatologists in the field of psoriasis operates in coordination with the Ministry of Health toward the recognition of patient limitations and problems, public lobbying toward the recognition of innovative and unlimited treatments, contacts with pharmaceutical companies and with the Dead Sea Local Authority. The Association offers research grants for psoriasis related projects.

Formation of the Grid of Psoriasis Forum India

2010-04-22T10:13:31Z

The following centres have been accepted to be members of the psoriasis forum, that in turn would contact other doctors, centres, Medical colleges with psoriasis clinic for expansion of the group in their respective cities, provinces/ states.

1. Dr. S. Anandan, Prof. & H.O.D, Dermatology, Dean Ramachandra Medical College, Porur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

2. Dr. Mahendra Kura, Prof & H.O.D, Dermatology, Grant Medical College, Mumbai,. Maharashtra.

3. Dr. K. Basava Raj, Prof of Dermatology, JSS Medical College, Mysore, Karnataka.

4. Dr. A.J. Kanwar, Prof & H.O.D, Dermatology, PGIMER, Chandigrah. (Co-Ordinator India)

5. Dr. Neena Khanna, Prof of Dermatology, AIIMS, New Delhi, Inida

6. Dr. Jyothi Nath, Prof of Dermatology, Gauhati Medical College, Gauhati, Assam.

7. Dr. DM. Thappa, Prof & H.O.D, Dermatology, JIPMER, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu.

8. Dr. V.K. Jain, Prof & H.O.D, Dermatology, Dean, Medical College Rohtak, Haryana.

9. Dr. S. Sachidananda, Prof of Dermatology, Registar, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka.

10. Dr. Zamzachin, Prof & H.O.D, Dermatology, Manipur, India.

Psoriasis Caravan in Philippines

2010-04-22T08:49:10Z

Psoriasis Philippines (PsorPhil) indulged the Secretary (Minister) of Health and made them a co-presenter together with the Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS) and PsorPhil with the various Local Government Units (LGU).

In the last couple of months, PsorPhil has negotiated with: The minister of health, 15 mayors, 15 city health officers, the president and 15 leaders of the PDS. After presenting the idea of the "grass root-psoriasis screening" to the various stakeholders regarding the caravan, all of them decided to do the house-to-house campaign of psoriasis information-educational-screening in at least 15 major cities in the Philippines. This national campaign will be documented by major national media (TV and Newspaper).

The objective is to raise the number of members of PsorPhil and make the treatment/medication accessible to ordinary people. PsorPhil also hopes to raise the general public's awareness about psoriasis through the help of the national media.

Ukrainian Psoriasis Association now on Psoriasis International Network!

2010-04-14T15:35:05Z

NGO "Ukrainian Psoriasis Association" is the only nation-wide psoriasis organization. It's feature is that membership includes both dermatologists and patients, so there are more opportunities for us in realisation of our goal.

The Ukrainian Psoriasis Association was founded 25 december 2008. We are whole national non-profit organization.

Curently we have more than 150 members in 17 (of 25) regions in Ukraine. Our members are medical specialists, mostly dermatologists, patients with psoriasis and any other people who are not indifferent to the problem of psoriasis.

SinceJuly 2009 we are mempers of IFPA. In 2010 we achieved membership in Europso.

3rd Latin American Psoriasis Meeting - SOLAPSO

2010-03-30T12:23:44Z

3rd LATIN AMERICAN PSORIASIS MEETING

June 18, 2010

Salta-Argentina

Coordinators: Beatriz Gómez, Oscar Territoriale, Teresa Vendramini Preliminary Programme

08:00 Registration

08:30 Opening. Welcome speach.

08:35 1st. Latin American Psoriasis Consensus

RELAPSO- Paediatric RELAPSO

09:00 Module I Psoriasis and Co-morbidities. Conduct (includes diabetes, obesitu, depression, anxiety, alcoholism, nicoine poisoning, COPD)

* Interactive clinical cases

* Experts Pannel - Module I

10:30 Coffee Break

11:00 Module II - The good and the bad in the systemic inflammatory disease - (gen CIDEA, TNF-α, TGF-β)

* Interactive clinical cases

* Experts Pannel

* The gene CIDEA and its influence in the Metabolic Syndrome and Psoriasis.

* The role of TNF-α and TGF-β in the activation of LT and the systemic inflammatory disease

* Genetics in Psoriasis (phenotypes)

* Questions and Answers

12:30 Sponsored Symposium

13:30 Lunch

14:30 Sponsored Symposium

15:30 Module III – Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis in women and children

* Interactive clinical cases

* Experts Pannel

17:00 Coffee Break

17:30 Sponsored Symposium

18:30 Advances in Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (diagnostic and therapeutic novelties)

* Experts Pannel

21:00 Convivial Dinner

Registration form available on www.solapso.org

The Jordanian Society for Dermatology and Venereology joins Psoriasis International Network

2010-03-30T10:36:22Z

The Jordanian Society for Dermatology and Venereology (JSDV) was created in 12/12/1977 and gathers at present 153 members.

In 2009, the JSDV has published the Jordanian Guidelines for Using Biological Agents in the Treatment of Psoriasis. You can read the full text here.

Objectives of the Society

1 - Scientific Objectives

To raise the scientific level of the dermatologist and venereologist and encourage their scientific research and study in different means, as well as to held seminars, lectures and medical conferences in the local, regional and universal levels. To exchange information and experiences with similar specialization societies and others in Jordan and other countries. To arrange visits to hospitals and organize scientific trips and other activities related thereof.
Affiliation in the Arab Union or Leagues for Dermatology and Venereology specialists
Affiliation in the International Unions related thereto
To offer experience and consultation in this concern for general physicians when necessary
The Administrative Board shall form a Scientific Committee to perform the scientific activity in all its different areas.

2- Vocational Objectives

A - To enhance the spirit of cooperation between the members and to maintain their technical and moral level in order to develop them.

B - The member should abide by the specialization field he is registered at the society and should not exercise other specializations.

C - To have control over the vocational behavior and organize the vocational practice with cooperation of the Board of the Society.

D - To cooperate with societies of other specializations, scientific establishments in Jordan and other countries in this field; to establish relations with them in all what concerns this specialization and the general medical matters related thereto.

3 - Social Objectives

A - To encourage the activities which create better social relationship between members, that help achieving scientific and vocational objectives.

B - To enhance the social relationship with societies of oter specializations and similar medical societies outside Jordan.

C - The Administration Board shall form a Social Committee in the Society to perform different social activities.

World Psoriasis Day 2009 - Official Report

2010-03-30T09:59:33Z

World Psoriasis Day 2009

Summary of national activities 2009 - IFPA Official Report

General Summary of WPD activities 2009

World Psoriasis Day in Poland

2009-12-07T23:00:00Z

On World Psoriasis Day, October 29, in Wrocław (Poland), a poster exhibition was organised in the central place in Wrocław (Market - place) for 2 hours. Then the lecture concerning quality of life, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular comorbidities was delivered. The lecture was followed by discussion and contact with experts (dermatologists). All stressed highly cast of modern therapeutic strategies. Number of participants 100.

Prof. Eugeniusz Baran, Dept. of Dermatology Wrocław University

To see the full list activities carried by the Polish Psoriasis Association on this day in different cities of Poland, please click here.

Psychology and psoriasis: A new intervention for psoriasis patients

2009-11-27T10:56:58Z

Psychology and psoriasis: A new intervention for psoriasis patients

A team of researchers at the University of Manchester are investigating ways to help individuals cope better with their psoriasis symptoms including psychological distress. Services for people with psoriasis rarely include psychological or emotional support, despite patients' subjective reports suggesting that psychological stress/distress may play a significant role in the initiation, exacerbation or relapse of psoriasis. Common psychological symptoms may include anxiety, stress, feeling down, negative thinking, low self-esteem, and difficulties in coping.

The research team (Prof. Chris Griffiths, Prof. Nick Tarrier, Dr. Christine Bundy, Ms. Binder Kaur and Dr. Sandra Bucci) have designed a brand new program, known as eTIPs (electronic Targeted Intervention for Psoriasis), and is funded by the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance (PAPAA). It is a menu-driven, interactive programme which uses a multi-media format including text, videos, audio clips and graphics. The programme is based on the principles of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy - a well established psychological therapy which focuses on helping individuals to understand that the way they think about a situation can affect the way they feel and behave. This requires patients to practice exercises to improve psychological well-being and to manage their psoriasis better. The research team is currently testing whether eTIPs helps to reduce the severity of psoriasis symptoms.

The programme will be delivered on-line so that it is widely available, and can reach out to individuals who may not wish to discuss psychological complaints face-to-face. Another benefit of using the internet is that participants can work at their own pace, at their own convenience and in the privacy of their own home.

For a limited period the researchers are still recruiting psoriasis patients and would be happy to hear from anybody interested or wanting more details. The trial of this programme will be offered to individuals diagnosed with plaque psoriasis and have internet access. However, the researchers are particularly interested in hearing from younger adults as this group does not seem to be as widely represented in the trial so far, though they would like to stress that anyone over the age of 16 may be eligible to participate in the trial.

For further details please contact Ms Binder Kaur for more information on 0161 3060422 or by email: etips@manchester.ac.uk

Chilean Psoriasis Corporation now linked to Psoriasis-international.org

2009-11-27T10:55:24Z

The Chilean Psoriasis Corporation (Corporación de Psoriasis de Chile) was created in 2007 and gathers some 220 members. This patient association looks for governmental support and of prevailed to solve the high cost of his treatments.

For further information, please visit www.psoriasischile.cl

Africa Psoriasis Organization (Kenya) joins Psoriasis International Network

2009-11-27T10:45:46Z

Africa Psoriasis Organization was formed by psoriasis patients in March 2009. The oganization now has a growing membership of 150 patients, 10 dermatologists, 30 wellwishers and 2 corporate companies. Most of the year 2009 has been used in structures layout and membership recruitment. These tasks among others are ongoing.

Africa Psoriasis Organization is still under construction, but you can visit it at http://www.psoriasis-international.org/apo.

3rd Symposium of the French Psoriasis Group

2009-11-25T15:07:44Z

The 3rd Symposium of the French Psoriasis Group was held on October 16, at Hôpital Saint-Louis in Paris.

The French Dermatological Society accredited this Symposium for Continuing Medical Education. The pedagogic goals of this symposium were :

the diagnostic and treatment of psoriasis in pregnant women and women under contraception(conference of Selim Aractingi (Paris) - "Psoriasis, pregnancy and contraception")

the diagnostic and treatment of psoriasis in children (conference of Christine Bodemer (Paris) - "Characteristics of childhood psoriasis")

how to diagnose when psoriasis puts life in danger (conference of Hervé Bachelez (Paris) - "Severe forms of psoriasis")

educational programmes for the management of psoriasis (conference of Carle Paul (Toulouse) - "Psoriasis and educational programme")

to estimate cardiovascular risk factors in patients with psoriasis (conference of Alain Simon (Paris) - "Estimation of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with psoriasis")

the best strategy for the use of long-term treatments (conference of Louis Dubertret (Paris) - "Use of anti-psoriatic treatments in the long-term")

update on the knowledge of biological treatments (conference of Catherine Goujon (Lyon) - "Biotherapies in practice")

update on psoriasis physiopathology (conference of Martine Bagot (Paris) - "New therapeutical targets in psoriasis")

to learn how to reason upon clinical cases:

Interactive clinical cases - conferences of Catherine Goujon (Lyon), Michel Le Maitre (Caen), Marie Beylot-Barry (Bordeaux), François Aubin (Besançon), Vincent Descamps (Paris).

The abstracts of this symposium are freely accessible here (in French only).

The conferences' presentations are accessible here (in French only), but on restricted access. Please register to access these documents.

Algerian Psoriasis Group - Record of the Year 2009

2009-11-16T16:04:45Z

The year 2009 saw the creation of the Algerian Psoriasis Group (Groupe algérien du psoriasis).

The officers of this group were designated at the number of 10:

Baghou soumeya (Constantine)

Boudghene Stambouli Omar (Tlemcen)

Boukerche tarek (Oran)

Hammadi hakim (Alger)

Hawazene saleh (Oran)

Keniza hamza (Annaba)

Meghrabi rachida (Alger)

Sahel houria (Alger)

Taibi lynda(Alger)

Zobiri samira (Tizi-Ouzou)

The website has been brought to the attention of Algerian dermatologists.

A national epidemiological study was begun to publish in 2010.

Our objectives for 2010 are:

The publication of a national epidemiological study
Enrichment of website topics
Gaining the support of a greater number of members

1st Meeting of LATINAPSO - Latin American Psoriasis Network

2009-11-10T17:49:46Z

Psoriasis is a serious disease that deserves attention. Argentina hold the 1st Meeting of the Latin American Associations Network: LATINAPSO.

Motivated against the global ignorance of psoriasis in Latin America, the patient associations of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico and Venezuela have decided to come together in order to stregthen their fight for psoriasis patients' rights.

Buenos Aires, September 30, 2009. The 1st Meeting of the Network of Latin American Psoriasis Associations took place from September 22-24 in Buenos Aires and concretised the birth of LATINAPSO, the Latin American Psoriasis Network.

The main objective of the meeting was to learn more about the situation of the Associations, as well as to share experiences and ideas on how to strengthen and favour the creation of new associations in the region, and to promote a joint work in favour of psoriasis patients of all Latin America.

Some goals are common to the different associations participating in the meeting:

to improve the qualitiy of life of psoriatic patients and their families by fighting for patient rights
the need to raise public awareness on psoriasis being a non-contagious disease
to raise awareness among health authorities, whether medical or political, on:
the serious consequences on health due to the lack of appropriated treatments for this chronic and systemic disease
the need to work on a better access to treatments
the recognition of the psychological, social and economic impact of psoriasis
the need of a public policy action against the "merchants" that publicise in any media miraculous cures for the disease, preventing its medical treatment.
During the meeting some preliminary action lines were established, in order to boost and improve the practice of each association in its country. "We, the psoriasis patients of Latin America, feel now represented since we are united in a network, just as in other part of the world, which will allow us to fight for our rights at an international level and to develop more and more the local actions of each association", has comented Silvia Fernández Barrio, Executive Director of AEPSO (Argentine Psoriasis Association) and organiser of this 1st Meeting.
The associations aim that this Latin American Network will be the expression of the life of each association at the local level, and that the union of these associations through the establishment of a common scope will allow them to grow, to share their worries, their whishes and have a positive impact in people's health.

About LATINAPSO

LATINAPSO is the Latin American Psoriasis Network gathering several psoriasis patient associations, which fight for a better quality of life for those who suffer from this disease. At present, the network's member associations are: Associação Brasiliense de Psoríase (ABRAPSE - Brasilia), Associação Cearense de Portadores de Psoríase (ACEPP - Fortaleza), Associação de Psoríase de Amazonas (APAM - Amazonas), Associação dos Amigos e Portadores de Psoríase do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (PSORIERJ - Río de Janeiro), Associação de Apoio aos Portadores de Psoríase (AAPP - San Pablo), Associação Nacional dos Portadores de Psoríase (PSORISUL – Porto Alegre), Associação Baiana de Portadores de Psoríase (ABAPP), Fundación Colombiana de Psoriasis (FCP - Bogotá), Corporación Psoriasis Chile (Santiago de Chile), Psoriasis Puerto Rico (San Juan de Puerto Rico), Asociación Mexicana contra la Psoriasis (AMCPSO - Distrito Federal), Fundación Ecuatoriana de la Psoriasis (FEPSO - Quito), Fundación Psoriasis de Panamá (FPP - Ciudad de Panamá), Asociación Venezolana de Psoriasis (AVPSO - Caracas) y Asociación Civil para el Enfermo de Psoriasis (AEPSO - Buenos Aires, Mar del Plata, Tucumán, Santa Fe, Trenque Lauquen).

For further information, please visit www.latinapso.org

Activities on Psoriasis in 2009 – the Division of Evidence based Medicine in Dermatology (Berlin / Germany)

2009-11-10T16:55:40Z

Activities on Psoriasis in 2009 – the Division of Evidence based Medicine in Dermatology (Berlin / Germany) developed new guidelines and performed health care research

The division of Evidence Based Medicine (dEBM) (head: Prof. B. Rzany MD ScM) is located at the Department of Dermatology at the Charité Universitätsmedizin in Berlin, Germany. The dEBM is coordinating the development of evidence based (S3 Guidelines) on national and international levels.

1) European evidence based psoriasis guidelines were published in autumn 2009

The development of the first European evidence based guidelines for the treatment of plaque psoriasis was finalized and the guidelines were published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venerology (JEADV) 1 in autumn 2009. The project (project coordinator: D. Pathirana MD) was started in January 2006, and was supported by the EDF (European Dermatology Forum) in cooperation with the EADV (European Academy of Dermatology and Venerology) and IPC (International Psoriasis Council). A multidisciplinary group of experts, consisting of dermatologists from a broad spectrum of European countries, two dermatologists from the USA, in addition to other relevant medical groups, as well as patient representatives participated in the development of these guidelines. Focus of these guidelines was the systemic induction treatment of psoriasis. In the future, regular updates on guidelines focussing on other important issues on psoriasis are planed: 1) The systemic treatment of psoriasis and arthritic involvement 2) The systemic maintenance treatment of psoriasis 3) The topical treatment of psoriasis vulgaris.

2) German evidence based psoriasis guidelines - update in progress in 2009 / Important results on health care research and guidelines implementation published in 2008/2009

The dEBM (project coordinator: A. Nast MD) is as well coordinating an update of the German psoriasis guidelines, funded by the German Dermatological Society (DDG), which will be finished by the end of 2010. The present version of the German psoriasis guidelines has been accessed more than 50,000 times through its website (www.psoriasis-leitlinie.de) and was translated in several languages. As producing an S3 Guideline involves considerable costs an evaluation study was conducted which was published in 2009 and showed a very good acceptance of the guidelines by German physicians 2. Furthermore changes in the prescription behaviour became visible. In a patient cohort prior to the publication, an unsatisfactory low percentage of patient suffering from moderate to severe psoriasis received a systemic treatment 2. In a subsequent patient cohort after the publication of the German guidelines, we saw an increase in the percentage of patients receiving a systemic treatment 3, 4.

National as well as international guidelines are very important to improve the care of our patients. Through the coordination of both projects it was possible to use synergisms. Nevertheless with the rapid scientific progress in the therapy of this disease those guidelines need continuously to be updated. To meet the challenge the support of everybody involved is needed.

1 European S3-guidelines on the systemic treatment of psoriasis vulgaris.Pathirana D, Ormerod AD, Saiag P et al. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2009 Oct;23 Suppl 2:1-70.

2 Low prescription rate for systemic treatments in the management of severe psoriasis vulgaris and psoriatic arthritis in dermatological practices in Berlin and Brandenburg, Germany: results from a patient registry. Nast A, Reytan N, Rosumeck S, Erdmann R, Rzany B. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2008 Nov;22(11):1337-42.

3 Nast, A., Erdmann, R., Hofelich, V., Reytan, N., Orawa, H., Sterry, W., Rzany, B. „Do guidelines change the way we treat? Studying prescription behaviour among private practicioners before and after the publication of the German psoriasis guidelines. Arch. Dermatol Res 2009; 301: 553-59

4 Three years after the publication of the German (S3) evidence based Psoriasis Guidelines - Was it worth the effort? Nast A, Rzany B. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2009 Oct 9. [E-pub ahead of print]