National Psoriasis Foundation clinical consensus on disease severity.
OBJECTIVE
A task force of the National Psoriasis Foundation Medical Board was convened to evaluate the current severity criteria of mild, moderate, and severe psoriasis and to make recommendations concerning a 2-tiered categorization of severity based on current clinical practice and related to intent to treat.


METHODS
This volunteer task force, led by David M. Pariser, MD, included Jerry Bagel, MD, Joel M. Gelfand, MD, MSCE, Neil J. Korman, MD, PhD, Christopher T. Ritchlin, MD, Bruce E. Strober, MD, PhD, Abby S. Van Voorhees, MD, and Melodie Young, MSN, RN, ANP. Meetings were held by teleconference and were coordinated and funded by the National Psoriasis Foundation.


METHODS
This task force reviewed psoriasis severity criteria and other published psoriasis consensus statements. Current standards of care and expert opinion were used to inform the process.


METHODS
Based on meetings of the task force and under the guidance of David M. Pariser, MD, a statement was drafted by Elizabeth J. Horn, PhD, presented to the task force, and reviewed and approved by the task force. This statement was then reviewed and approved by Robert E. Kalb, MD, Gerald G. Krueger, MD, and Alan Menter, MD. The National Psoriasis Foundation Medical Board reviewed and endorsed this statement by a majority vote on March 2, 2006, at the medical board meeting.


CONCLUSIONS
This clinical consensus statement proposes a 2-tiered system for plaque psoriasis therapy that reflects more accurately than the current system how patients are treated in clinical practice. This statement, focused on plaque psoriasis, is intended to assist medical professionals and insurance payers in understanding these 2 categories of patients with psoriasis and choosing appropriate therapies for these patients.
Pariser
David M
DM
Department of Dermatology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA.
Bagel
Jerry
J
Gelfand
Joel M
JM
Korman
Neil J
NJ
Ritchlin
Christopher T
CT
Strober
Bruce E
BE
Van Voorhees
Abby S
AS
Young
Melodie
M
Rittenberg
Sheila
S
Lebwohl
Mark G
MG
Horn
Elizabeth J
EJ
D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000145:classification* / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index