“It’s stigmatizing even if we don’t see it on our skin.”

Every third citizen – and about 3% of the population – suffers from psoriasis, a chronic and systemic disease that affects the entire body. According to a recent study carried out in Aragon to identify comorbidities and establish the prevalence of this disease in the Community, there are currently 32,197 patients -diagnosed in primary care at age 0- for psoriatic disease. 54% are male, and the distribution in urban and rural areas is very similar. “61% live in cities and 75% in towns.“explains Dr. Yolanda Gilaberté, head of the dermatology department of the Miguel Servet Hospital in Zaragoza and president of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.

Typically, this skin disease affects more young people. “We will have fewer cases in people over 65 and fewer people under 18,” he adds.

On the occasion of World Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Day 2024 Zaragoza becomes the epicenter of the disease thanks to the celebration of an in-person event aimed at “empowering” patients. in managing your disease and overcome the “stigma” which surrounds the patient and his family.

A study by the Virgen de las Nieves Hospital in Granada focuses specifically on the impact that family members or partners of people with psoriasis had on their psychological functioning. “20% had high levels of depression; 47% experienced symptoms consistent with anxiety disorders, and 57% experienced moderate to severe impairment in quality of life. due to difficulties associated with psoriasis. We are talking about a disease that is very common – it affects almost 3% of the population – and it significantly affects not only the person with psoriasis, but also everyone around him, his partner, his children and friends affected by it. “, emphasizes Gilaberte.

Doctors and pharmacists pay special attention the importance of providing “psychological support” to these patientsby paying more attention to one of the demands they put forward in consultations.

“We must continue to work to develop more effective treatments that we are often asked to do, as well as provide other social and health care. Psoriasis often carries a stigma, even if we don’t see it on our skin.“, this expert admits.

World Day Events

Acción Psoriasis organizes from October 29 until the end of November World Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Day 2024. In this case it does: with an emphasis on familysince it is important to “recognize that the problems associated with this disease affect not only the person himself, but also his loved ones,” emphasizes Montse Ginés, vice-president of this association. According to their data, there will be 160 million patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in the world, of which two million are in Spain. They estimate there are more than 26,000 patients in Aragon, “20,000 of them here in Zaragoza,” they say.

Events dedicated to World Psoriasis Day and psoriatic arthritis provide clear guidance for sufferers and their families. With the support of the Piel Sana Foundation of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV), the Official College of Pharmacists of Zaragoza (COFZ), the Official College of Physicians of Zaragoza (COMZ) and the Aragonese Health Service, Psoriasis As a result of these actions, Zaragoza has become the epicenter of psoriatic disease.

With the help of various medical professionals, Various performances will be broadcast throughout November. about family support for the patient, “what do people suffering from psoriatic arthritis need?”, a new concept of the disease and Teledermatology and artificial intelligence as patient allies.

Chronic inflammatory disease

Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease.. According to the association’s Next Psoriasis report, Up to 13% of patients with moderate to severe psoriasis do not receive medical care. “The disease has three stages: mild, moderate or severe, and all of them require attention, but many patients with moderate and severe stages tell us that sometimes misdirected from primary care and they face difficulties when entering a specialty,” comments Miguel Montero, Dermatology Pharmacy Associate Official College of Doctors.

Yolanda Gilaberté, president of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV) and scientific coordinator of the Zaragoza conference, explains that “with psoriatic disease, the impact goes beyond the skin. In its most severe forms, it can cause functional limitations, pain and even affect mental health.

making family support a fundamental basis for day-to-day management.

To cope with this complexity, Gilaberté argues that “a multidisciplinary approach is essential. in the treatment of psoriasis. Not only dermatologists, but also rheumatologists, internists, psychologists and other health care professionals need to work together.”

Montse Gines, Vice President of Accion Psoriasisbelieves that the role of the family is fundamental. “The moment of diagnosis of a chronic disease such as psoriatic disease is a moment of enormous suffering, vulnerability and uncertainty for both patients and their families, who must begin the grieving process together to come to terms with their new situation,” he states. .

For my part, Miguel Montero, member of the Dermopharmacy of the Official College of Physiciansstates that “it is very important that in chronic skin pathologies there is harmony between pharmacists, doctors, nurses and patient associations.”