New insights and therapies for teenage psoriasis.
OBJECTIVE
Psoriasis is an important disorder in the adolescent population and has a tremendous physical and psychological impact on patients. It is important to understand the genetics, various clinical presentations, comorbidities, and treatment options associated with psoriasis.


RESULTS
The human leukocyte antigen-C gene likely contains a susceptibility locus for psoriasis. Cytokines interleukin-12 and interleukin-23 have been implicated in the pathogenesis of psoriasis as well. Psoriasis is likely associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction, metabolic syndrome, Crohn's disease, and depression; it is difficult to assess the implications in the adolescent population.


CONCLUSIONS
Psoriasis is not rare in the adolescent population. It is important for physicians to be aware of the different clinical presentations as well as the spectrum of treatment options that are available.
Belazarian
Leah
L
University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, USA. Belazl01@ummhc.org
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019703:Calcineurin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors; D015984:Causality; D015897:Comorbidity; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068800:Etanercept; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015236:HLA-C Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000235:genetics; D053759:Interleukin-23 / Q000235:genetics; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010789:Phototherapy; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy*; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012176:Retinoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014815:Vitamins / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D065095:Calcineurin Inhibitors; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D015236:HLA-C Antigens; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D053759:Interleukin-23; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D012176:Retinoids; D014815:Vitamins; D014807:Vitamin D; D018664:Interleukin-12; D019703:Calcineurin; D000068800:Etanercept; D008727:Methotrexate