title: Characteristics of psoriasis in Greece: an epidemiological study of a population in a sunny Mediterranean climate.
abstract: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with important socioeconomic consequences. Data on psoriasis prevalence in Greece is scarce and circumstantially reported. The aim of this study was the recording of psoriatic patients' demographic data, clinical characteristics of the disease, and exacerbating factors. Seven hundred and eighty four patients were enrolled in 6 centres (4 in Athens and 2 in Thessaloniki) in a multicenter epidemiologic prospective study. The mean age of patients was 43.2 (standard deviation, SD 17.44) years (median 42 years), while the men: women ratio was 1.8:1. Additionally, 35% of patients reported a positive family history of psoriasis. The mean age of patients at the first episode of psoriasis was 31.3 (SD 16.39) years (median 28 years). Psoriasis vulgaris was the most common form of psoriasis in the population participating in this study. Flares of psoriasis occurred 2.6 times per year on average. The patients considered stress as the main cause for psoriasis exacerbation. Most frequent target points of psoriasis included elbows, legs, scalp and knees. The most common symptoms reported were scaling, and itching. On average, patients visited dermatologists 2.4 times per year for issues related to psoriasis. This study provides epidemiological information regarding psoriasis in Greece. Results of this survey could assist in delineation of patient profiles, and improve communication between doctors and patients.
authors.affiliation: University of Athens, Department of Dermatology, A. Sygros Hospital, 5 Ionos Dragoumi Str, 16121 Athens, Greece. drigop@hol.gr
authors.forename: Dimitris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rigopoulos
authors.forename: Stamatis
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gregoriou
authors.forename: Aimilia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Katrinaki
authors.forename: Chrysovalantis
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Korfitis
authors.forename: Giorgos
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Larios
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stamou
authors.forename: Olympia
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Mourellou
authors.forename: Athanasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Petridis
authors.forename: Efstathios
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rallis
authors.forename: Dimitris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sotiriadis
authors.forename: Andreas D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Katsambas
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Antoniou
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D004890:Erythema / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009819:Office Visits / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011537:Pruritus / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012621:Seasons; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult