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Psoriasis: Multidisciplinary and Multidimensional Approach

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A special issue of Medicina (ISSN 1648-9144). This special issue belongs to the section "Dermatology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2022) | Viewed by 10186

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Ana Maria Alexandra Stanescu

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Guest Editor

Department of Family Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: psoriasis; vitamin D; metabolic syndrome; dermatology; family medicine

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Although psoriasis was initially thought to be a "simple" dermatological disease, developments in medical research have led to numerous discoveries regarding this complex disease. Now, psoriasis is a chronic immunological disease involving inflammation targeting the skin, internal organs, and joints. Numerous factors are involved in the onset, worsening, and relapse of psoriasis; these factors are environmental and genetic, many of which are still not fully understood.

The complexity of psoriasis is also highlighted by the comorbidities that can accompany psoriasis, including metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular involvement, major depressive disorders, the development of psoriatic arthritis, and also the substantial impact on quality of life.

Although there is no treatment to cure psoriasis, significant progress has been made in therapy to relieve the symptoms and signs of the disease. The current treatment regimen in psoriasis (depending on clinical type and severity) starts from topical therapy, phototherapy, and conventional systemic drugs (such as methotrexate, cyclosporin A, and acitretin) to biological therapy (anti-TNF, anti-IL12/23, anti-IL17, and anti-IL23).

This Special Issue, “Psoriasis: Multidisciplinary and Multidimensional Approach”, aims to explore the latest updates of all aspects regarding psoriasis, from immunology, genetics, and treatment to comorbidities and quality of life.

Dr. Ana Maria Alexandra Stanescu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Medicina is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

psoriasis
immunology of psoriasis
genetics of psoriasis
treatment
comorbidities
quality of life

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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10 pages, 646 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Implication of Misinformation and Stigma in Age-Related Quality of Life, Depression, and Coping Mechanisms of Adult Patients with Psoriasis

by Luminita Decean, Mihai Badea, Victoria Rus, Gabriela Buicu, Andreea Sasu, Ciprian Nicolae Pilut and Adriana Mihai

Medicina 2022, 58(10), 1420; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/medicina58101420 - 09 Oct 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2023

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Stigma and lack of acceptance in society might have detrimental effects on the quality of life of patients with psoriasis, sometimes being comparable with other chronic diseases and conditions that affect the appearance of a patient, such as burns. Therefore, we surveyed our patients diagnosed with psoriasis to determine the implications of misinformation and stigma for their quality of life, depression, and coping strategies stratified by different age categories. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed for a sample size of a minimum of 45 patients considering a prevalence of psoriasis of 2–3% in the general population. The study participants (patients and controls) were given both a paper-based unstandardized questionnaire and an online version of three standardized surveys. The cohort of patients was further split into three age groups to determine their age-related quality of life and coping mechanisms. Results: The proportion of patients with a history of depression and depressive symptoms among patients with psoriasis was significantly higher. Multiple discrepancies were observed between patients and controls regarding questions that targeted stigma and misinformation. On the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory (COPE-60) questionnaire, older patients were more likely to use positive coping mechanisms such as engagement and problem-focused coping, while the young patients were using more emotion-focused coping mechanisms. However, patients in the 30–50 age range group scored the highest on physical and mental health among all participants who filled the 12-Item Short Form Survey (SF-12) survey. The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) results showed significantly more patients answering “a lot and very much” concerning embarrassment and social activities, while sexual difficulties affected the older patients. The strongest correlations with depression were observed in the young patient group, who believed that psoriasis can cause skin cancer (rho = 0.418) and who had sexual difficulties (rho = 0.414) and embarrassment (rho = 0.359) as evaluated by the DLQI survey. In the 30- to 50-year-old group, the strongest correlations were with the feeling of being stigmatized (rho = 0.376), having sexual difficulties (rho = 0.367) and disengagement coping style (rho = 273). Conclusions: While the respondents are reasonably well-informed regarding psoriasis, a degree of stigma remains, likely due to involuntary emotional responses such as repulsion and embarrassment. It is essential to establish initiatives aimed at educating the general public, raising awareness, and establishing a more tolerant social environment for psoriasis patients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psoriasis: Multidisciplinary and Multidimensional Approach)

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Review

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10 pages, 353 KiB

Open AccessReview

Allergic Contact Cell-Mediated Hypersensitivity in Psoriasis: A Narrative Minireview

by Ana Maria Alexandra Stănescu, Ana-Maria-Antoaneta Cristea, Gabriel Cristian Bejan, Mariana Vieru, Anca Angela Simionescu and Florin-Dan Popescu

Medicina 2022, 58(7), 914; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/medicina58070914 - 09 Jul 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1872

Abstract

The dysfunctionality of the protective skin barrier in psoriasis allows easier cutaneous penetration of various contact haptens; thus, such patients can develop allergic contact hypersensitivity as a comorbidity. Both skin conditions involve T-cell-mediated mechanisms. Dermatologists and allergists should consider assessing allergic contact cell-mediated hypersensitivity in selected psoriasis patients, especially those with palmoplantar psoriasis and who are refractory to topical treatments, and in patients with psoriasis, with or without arthritis, treated with biologics that present skin lesions clinically suggestive of contact dermatitis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psoriasis: Multidisciplinary and Multidimensional Approach)

10 pages, 594 KiB

Open AccessReview

Botulinum Toxin Use for Modulating Neuroimmune Cutaneous Activity in Psoriasis

by Marius Nicolae Popescu, Cristina Beiu, Mădălina Gabriela Iliescu, Mara Mădălina Mihai, Liliana Gabriela Popa, Ana Maria Alexandra Stănescu and Mihai Berteanu

Medicina 2022, 58(6), 813; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/medicina58060813 - 16 Jun 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2544

Abstract

Psoriasis is a complex immune-mediated inflammatory disorder that generates enormous interest within the scientific communities worldwide, with new therapeutic targets being constantly identified and tested. Despite the numerous topical and systemic medications available for the treatment of psoriasis, alternative therapies are still needed for the optimal management of some patients who present with localized, resistant lesions. Novel insights into the contribution of cutaneous neurogenic inflammation in the pathogenesis of psoriasis have yielded exciting new potential roles of nerve-targeting treatments, namely botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A), for the management of this disease. This paper aims to review the existing literature on knowledge regarding the potential role of BoNT-A in psoriasis treatment, with a focus on its ability to interfere with the immunopathogenetic aspects of psoriatic disease. Furthermore, in our paper, we are also including the first report of psoriatic lesions remission following local BoNT-A injections that were administered for treating upper limb spasticity, in a patient that concomitantly suffered from psoriasis and post-stroke spasticity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psoriasis: Multidisciplinary and Multidimensional Approach)

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11 pages, 1075 KiB

Open AccessReview

Oversight and Management of Women with Psoriasis in Childbearing Age

by Ștefana Bucur, Alexandra-Petruța Savu, Ana Maria Alexandra Stănescu, Elena-Daniela Șerban, Alin-Codruț Nicolescu, Traian Constantin, Anca Bobircă and Maria-Magdalena Constantin

Medicina 2022, 58(6), 780; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/medicina58060780 - 09 Jun 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2827

Abstract

Psoriasis is a complex disease with many associated comorbidities, all of which have a negative impact on a patient’s personal, social, and sexual life. There are some unique considerations in the effects of this disease among women. The average age of diagnosis in women with psoriasis is 28 years, and this onset corresponds to the fertile life of women. There is conflicting information about the effects of psoriasis on female fertility. Some studies suggest that this condition’s associated comorbidities, personal behaviors, and reduced ovarian reserve, especially due to chronic inflammation, affect women’s fertility. Another possible reason women with psoriasis are less likely to become pregnant is that their sexual intercourse frequency decreases after the condition’s onset. The available information on the effects of pregnancy on women with psoriasis is limited. According to current evidence, most women will experience an improvement in their skin condition. Studies show that patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis are more prone to experience pregnancy complications. The management of pregnant and lactating women with psoriasis is also difficult, as the safety profile of commonly used drugs in patients with psoriasis is not entirely known. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psoriasis: Multidisciplinary and Multidimensional Approach)

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