title: Psoriasis: impact and management of moderate to severe disease.
abstract: Psoriasis is an autoimmune chronic inflammatory skin disease that typically exhibits a flare and remission pattern, with a number of known genetic and environmental trigger factors. While mild psoriasis is a manageable disease that is coped with well by the majority of sufferers, moderate to severe disease has a profound physical and psychological impact; there are, in addition, a number of important comorbidities. Treatments include topical, ultra-violet light, and systemic therapies including recent advances in biological drugs. This article summarizes these treatments and the nursing care required for the patient in severe flare; it discusses the considerations the nurse should have in enabling a patient to self-manage their condition, offering support that is practical and psychological, with health education often including family and carers.
authors.affiliation: United Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol Dermatology Centre, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol.
authors.forename: Tracey
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wheeler
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D010789:Phototherapy; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors