title: [Long-term control of psoriasis is necessary].
abstract: Psoriasis is an immune mediated, inflammatory skin condition affecting approximately 1.43% of Spanish population. In clinical practice, physicians use PASI index to assess the severity. Psoriasis causes physical and mental disability comparable to other chronic diseases and affects seriously the patients quality of life. For treatment we have different options. Conventional systemic treatment such as methotrexate, cyclosporine and acitretin may be associated with relevant side effects, and organ toxicity that avoid long term therapy. Several psoriasis patients have other comorbid disorders like obesity, diabetes, dyslipemia, hypertension and an increased rate of cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome and these patients need safer treatments. The accumulating clinical experience with new therapies consistent on biological agents like efalizumab indicates that are effective therapies, with safety profile and no evidence of cumulative toxicity that allows a long term use. A better control of psoriasis improves patients quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Dermatología, Consorcio Hospital General Universitario, Valencia, España. sanchez_joscar@gva.es
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Sánchez Carazo
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Martínez Casimiro
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Alegre de Miguel
mesh_terms: D017255:Acitretin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D015535:Arthritis, Psoriatic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D001688:Biological Products / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015897:Comorbidity; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069285:Infliximab; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D011701:PUVA Therapy; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012008:Recurrence
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D001688:Biological Products; D016207:Cytokines; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D000069285:Infliximab; D017255:Acitretin; C472181:efalizumab; D008727:Methotrexate