John Updike on psoriasis: At war with my skin, from the journal of a leper.
BACKGROUND
In recent years patients have become more involved in the impact, description, diagnosis, and management of their own disease.


OBJECTIVE
This article will briefly record the personal observations of John Updike, a highly regarded, perceptive twentieth-century American writer, on how moderately severe psoriasis has affected his life and also his thoughts about his disease and its treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Updike's description of his psoriasis gives a valid insight into a patient's view of psoriasis.
Jackson
R
R
Emeritus Professor Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.
D001294:Attitude to Health; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008093:Literature, Modern / Q000266:history*; D008297:Male; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000266:history; D008513:Medicine in Literature; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000266:history; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000266:history; D014481:United States