The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) today recommended adalimumab (HUMIRA) as a treatment option for adults with severe chronic plaque psoriasis. (1) Psoriasis is a non-contagious, recurrent autoimmune disease that affects around 1.2 million people in the UK, up to 240,000 of whom suffer from the severe form of the disease.(2), (3)
"The Psoriasis Association welcomes the decision from NICE on adalimumab for people with psoriasis which is a complex and difficult condition," said Gladys Edwards, Chief Executive of the Psoriasis Association. "This is a positive addition to the treatment options available for those people with the most severe forms of psoriasis."
Psoriasis causes the development of raised, and often extensive, lesions of reddened skin tissue, which may crack, and bleed, and can afflict any part of the body (the elbows, knees and the scalp are usual sites).(4) The disease
may occur among people of all ages and can be both physically painful and have a serious impact on a person's quality of life.
"This recommendation from NICE is a significant advance in the management of psoriasis," commented Professor Christopher Griffiths, Consultant Dermatologist, Manchester. "It provides dermatologists with an additional, valuable therapy for severe forms of this common, disabling skin disease."
Patients with psoriasis may find the psychological impact of the disease just as debilitating as the physical symptoms. Some people with psoriasis suffer from social exclusion and discrimination.(5) Although the cause of psoriasis is unknown, it is believed there is a strong genetic component, which may be triggered by such things as injury, infection, skin trauma, certain drugs, physical and emotional stress, smoking, excessive alcohol or hormone imbalances.(2) |
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