In both the biologic and the comorbidity guidelines, the working groups stressed the importance of patient education and the role of the dermatologist in educating patients so that shared decision-making can occur. They noted that education was related to improved quality of life for these patients.
Dr. Alan Menter
“Both the comorbidities guidelines and the biologic guidelines will help educate the psoriasis population with input from dermatologists in clinical practices,” Dr. Menter said.
However, both working groups noted there are still significant gaps in research, such as the effects of treatment combinations for new biologics and the lack of biomarkers that would identify which biologics are best suited for individual psoriasis patients.
There is also little known about the complex relationship between psoriasis and its comorbidities, and how psoriasis treatment can potentially prevent future disease. To ensure treatment of psoriasis-related comorbidities, dermatologists should consider psoriasis as a systemic disease with multiple comorbidities and interact with primary care doctors, cardiologists, and other providers involved in the care of the patients, Dr. Menter said.
There were no specific funding sources reported for the guidelines. Several authors reported relationships with industry, including pharmaceutical companies with drugs and products involving psoriasis, during the development of the guidelines. If a potential conflict was noted, the working group member recused himself or herself from discussion and drafting of recommendations, according to the paper. Dr. Menter’s disclosure includes serving as a consultant, speaker, investigator, and adviser, and receiving honoraria, from multiple pharmaceutical companies.
SOURCE: Menter A et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019 Feb 13. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2018.11.057. Elmets CA et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019 Feb 13. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2018.11.058.