Saturday, September 26, 2009

National Psoriasis Foundation - FDA approves new psoriasis drug

National Psoriasis Foundation - FDA approves new psoriasis drug




FDA approves new psoriasis drug Stelara

Stelara offers patients a new treatment option

September 25, 2009

Stelara, a new drug for treating moderate to severe psoriasis in adults, was approved today by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Known by the generic name ustekinumab, the drug is injected in the skin, and works by blocking part of the body's immune system.

Stelara is a "very significant medication," said Dr. Craig Leonardi, a dermatologist in St. Louis, Mo. who served as a lead investigator in clinical trials for the drug. Leonardi believes Stelara is particularly effective for patients who've seen little or no response to treatments with other medications.

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Tuesday, September 15, 2009

NPF - Foundation research dollars doubled this year

National Psoriasis Foundation
September 2009

Foundation research dollars
doubled this year

The National Psoriasis Foundation's top priority is to find a cure for psoriatic diseases. While no one can say for sure when a cure will be discovered, it will certainly be achieved sooner if we bolster our investment in biomedical research. For this reason, the Foundation's new 5-year strategic plan calls for a 12-fold increase in annual research-grant funding (see graphic below).

In this first year of the strategic plan, the Foundation's $550,000 research investment more than doubles the 2008 figure, making it the largest research outlay in the Foundation's history! This is also the first year that the Foundation will front two different types of research grants. The first grant is called the Discovery Award; it provides $50,000 of research support for one year. This grant is designed to encourage the advancement of promising new investigators and new ideas in psoriatic-disease research. The second grant is called the Psoriatic Arthritis Research Award and provides $200,000 in research support over the course of two years. This award, as the name suggests, promotes research leading to the prevention, treatment or cure of psoriatic arthritis.

Not only is this the first time the Foundation has targeted a grant for psoriatic arthritis, it is also the first research grant funded through collaboration with another nonprofit health-advocacy group, the Arthritis National Research Foundation (ANRF). The ANRF will fund half the grant and partner with the Foundation to recruit scientific peer-reviewers to score and prioritize the applications.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Psoriasis - It works for me 09/14/09

It works for me 09/14/09

Source: NPF http://www.psoriasis.org (National Psoriasis Foundation)

Itchstuff

My brother-in-law had one of the worst cases of psoriasis I've ever seen, both legs, feet, arms, and elbows. He was miserable and it looked really bad.

He started using a herbal ointment called Itchstuff that he gets on line at Greenstuff2.com He swears by it and most of his psoriasis is gone. I think he has been using it for about 6 months, maybe a bit more, not sure.

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Buttermilk bath

I was diagnosed with psoriasis 6 years ago at the age of 32. I did seek treatment with a dermatologist, but had to stop due to the travel cost. After my fourth child was about two, I decided to start seeing another dermatologist who was closer to work. My dermatologist informed me that some psoriasis might actually be caused by yeast. I was treated for that type, and I cleared up. I had to stop treatment due to cost as my husband was no longer able to carry insurance on me due to a new job.

I recently remembered being told that taking a buttermilk bath helps with yeast. I decided to try this, as my psoriasis had returned and was extremely painful. 2 weeks ago, I began putting buttermilk in an empty shampoo bottle and using it as a body wash while in the shower. My psoriasis has cleared up well.

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Neem oil

My daughter has had psoriasis since she was four years old. I've tried everything from prescribed medications to alternative medicines. I wanted only to use homeopathic because of the side effects of the prescribed medications. I went back and forth with them all. Until my lactation consultant told me about a product called Neem. I went to a Web site called Neem Tree Farms and found a plethora of products for my daughter. Including soaps (unscented of course) and shampoos with out wax and sodium laurel sulfate. These products are all natural and some are organic. They mainly all contained Neem oil or cold pressed Neem oil. I apply Neem lotion to my daughter everyday. It has worked wonders and wards all kinds of biting bugs too. I even use it as a mosquito repellent. I use Xbalm during times that her psoriasis is flared and it helps calm her right away. I have also added fish oil to her diet.

Submitted: about one month ago by member

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Natural options

I developed full blown psoriatic arthritis when I turned 50 years old. To date, it has been the most horrible experience I ever want to go through ever. It has affected all of my joints and depleted the ligaments in both my knees � I had to have total knee replacements on both. Whenever the weather doesn�t cooperate, my hips, feet, ankles, hands, wrists, shoulders and even knees swell with inflammation causing me stiffness and pain. In addition to my psoriatic arthritis, I have psoriasis on my scalp. I tried what the doctors have suggested as far as cream, RX shampoos, etc. but these did not work for me.

I started using shampoos that are naturally based and I have found a lot of relief. At the present, I use Selsun Blue Naturals, Jason�s Aloe Vera shampoo and conditioner, and my favorite is Pantene�s new series of Pro-V called Moisture Balance shampoo and Moisture Balance conditioner. I have found that I need to switch off every two to three weeks as the effectiveness wears off and that the psoriasis cranks back up to high gear.

Psoriasis also affects my facial skin � I have found that using a gentle soap like Castile Soap or Dead Sea Mud Soap works extremely well at keeping the skin clear and calm. I also have Dead Sea Mud that I use as a mask for my face and anywhere the psoriasis is affecting me. The minerals in the mud seem to soothe my skin, muscles, and joints. You can purchases this online for a very reasonable price. These also can be purchased at better natural health food stores and some grocery stores.

I have also found a very good licensed Naturopathic doctor/pharmacist/nutritionist who is presently helping me by getting my body�s cells, organs, insides cleaned out and healthy through natural herbs and supplements. I am starting to feel much better with the natural method of healing than through conventional medicine. I found conventional medicines too harsh and abusive for my body and it affected my heart muscles and brain functioning more than I cared for. My body likes the natural way and I am sticking with the regime my new Naturopathic doctor is suggesting.

Oh, lastly but not least, I do 30 minutes of deep breathing meditation daily to ease my tension and calm my worrisome soul.

Submitted: about one month ago by Mary Jo Verbanick

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Clearing guttate psoriasis

My 10 year old son was diagnosed with guttate psoriasis several months ago. Four doctors (three of them being dermatologists) several creams, ointments, and painful/itchy months later we have found what works for me. Despite the urging of the doctors, we decided against using systemic medications. We treated naturally with results in less than two weeks. Months after getting a little relief from a 21 day course of antibiotics, his symptoms worsened and became extremely severe. After much research, I decided to treat my son for leaky gut syndrome.

Here is what we did: several Dead Sea salt baths and incorporated many dietary supplements (suggested by our acupuncturist). We are using Standard Process supplements.

Black Current seed oil - two capsules twice a day, we believe that this has been most helpful.
Mintran minerals - three tablets taken in the evening only
Livaplex -two capsules in the a.m. and then one at night
Zypan - one in the morning and one at night
Super EFF - one capsule in the morning and one at night
Zinc Liver Chelate - one in the morning
Nordic Naturals Junior Fish Oils - two in the morning -two at night.

This may sound like a lot, but; the results were almost immediate. Within two days there was a marked improvement. Less than two weeks later all the lesions are almost flat and white. Marked improvements on the scalp. No coal tar was needed.

We plan on burning my son's swim shirt this weekend,seven and a half months after his initial flare. Two weeks after starting the supplements.



Submitted: about two months ago by Carolyn (Gigi) Covington

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CPAP helped me!

I was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis in 1999. It took a long time to get a diagnosis and these days, many dermatologists don�t bother with a condition they cannot cure.
My hands got infected and bled; I was in so much pain. I had to quit my job as a conference planner for an association because of the pain and stigma of people not wanting to shake my hand or work with me.

In 2003, I went to a pulmonary specialist for sleep disorders. My family was concerned that I was snoring and not breathing normally when asleep. I was always tired and even fell asleep while driving. After I started using my CPAP machine for six months, my hands cleared up. Honestly, my hands are fine and I feel so much better. I still have bouts with scalp psoriasis but I can live with that.

If this message can help one person who suffers, it would make me happy. Thanks for the support on-line and the stories from other sufferers who made the journey not so painful.

Submitted: about two months ago by S.S., Georgia

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Fish Oil Supplements

I have had psoriasis for over 30 years. It has fluctuated in seriousness. In recent years, living in northern New Mexico in a dry climate with lots of light at a high altitude, has helped to keep it under control. But there have always been stubborn places on legs, elbows, body spots that just wouldn't go away.

Two months ago I started taking 4,000 mg of fish oil daily for osteoarthritis (two in the morning and two in the evening). I just realized that the psoriasis is almost totally gone! - one dime-sized spot on body, and small (very small) patches on elbows.

Fish oil works for me! (by the way it has also helped with arthritis).

I believe it is important to buy the purest fish oil possible. A natural food store is a good place to find quality fish oil.


Submitted: about two months ago by Lorraine C.

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Onion Seed Oil

I used to have psoriasis on my scalp and legs. I began using a mixture of onion seed oil, also known as blackseed oil, and lime juice on my plaques. I apply it 2 times a day and have seen great changes in my plaques. In particular on my scalp. I apply the mixture to my scalp and then wait 20 to 30 minutes before washing it out. The best onion seed oil that I have found has been from Pakistan.

Submitted: about two months ago by Elizabeth

Sunday, September 13, 2009

New Innovative Delivery System For Enbrel

Wyeth Launches New Innovative Delivery System For Enbrel
Main Category: Arthritis / Rheumatology Also Included In: Eczema / Psoriasis Article Date: 13 Sep 2009 Enbrel , Wyeth's biological treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis, is now available as a new easy-to-use pre-filled auto-injector device, known as the Enbrel MYCLIC pen.

Read full story from MediLexicon

http://www.medilexicon.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=163742

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Psoriasis Resources

The following is a list of resources for Psoriasis, you may google each resource for more information.

About psoriasis

* AAD PsoriasisNet: Information for patients
* HealthTalk Psoriasis Information Network
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* International Federation of Psoriasis Associations (IFPA)
* Mayo Clinic: Psoriasis information
* MedlinePlus: Psoriasis information
* The Murdough Family Center for Psoriasis
* National Institue of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
* NIAMS Questions and answers about psoriasis
* National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Treating psoriasis

* NIH Clinical Trials listings
* U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
* American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)
* Society for Pediatric Dermatology (SPD)
* Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (OTIS)
* National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)

Psoriatic arthritis

* American College of Rheumatology
* Arthritis Foundation
* The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Arthritis Program
* Mayo Clinic: Psoriatic arthritis information

Accessing health care

* Medicare
* Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
* Medicare Rights Center
* Social Security Administration
* Health Assistance Partnership
* State Medicaid finder
* Kaiser Family Foundation
* National Association of Insurance Commissioners
* Acces2Wellness
* American Association for Retired People
* Benefits Checkup
* The Free Medicine Program
* Georgetown University Health Policy Institute
* HealthWell Foundation
* Chronic Plaque Psoriasis (CPP) Premium/Copayment assistance program
* NeedyMeds, Inc.
* Partnership for Prescription Assistance
* Patient Action Network Foundation
* Patient Advocate Foundation
* Pharmaceutical and Research Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)
* RxHope
* Volunteers in Health

Living Well

* American Cancer Society
* American Diabetes Association
* American Heart Association
* Arthritis Foundation
* Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America
* Lymphoma Research Foundation
* National Institute of Mental Health
* Small Steps to Better Health

Discrimination

* U.S. Department of Labor: Family and Medical Leave Act
* U.S. Department of Justice: Americans with Disabilities Act
* U.S. Department of Labor: Office of Disability Employment Policy
* U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

Psoriasis Statistics

Prevalence

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Psoriasis is one of the most prevalent autoimmune diseases in the U.S.
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According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), as many as 7.5 million Americans—approximately 2.2 percent of the population--have psoriasis.
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125 million people worldwide—2 to 3 percent of the total population—have psoriasis.
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Studies show that between 10 and 30 percent of people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis.
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Psoriasis prevalence in African Americans is 1.3 percent compared to 2.5 percent of Caucasians.1

Quality of life

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Psoriasis is not a cosmetic problem. Nearly 60 percent of people with psoriasis reported their disease to be a large problem in their everyday life.2
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Nearly 40 percent with psoriatic arthritis reported their disease to be a large problem in everyday life.3
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Patients with moderate to severe psoriasis experienced a greater negative impact on their quality of life.4
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Psoriasis has a greater impact on quality of life in women and younger patients.4

Age of onset

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Psoriasis often appears between the ages of 15 and 25, but can develop at any age.
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Psoriatic arthritis usually develops between the ages of 30 and 50, but can develop at any age.

Severity of psoriasis

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The National Psoriasis Foundation defines mild psoriasis as affecting less than 3 percent of the body; 3 percent to 10 percent is considered moderate; more than 10 percent is considered severe. For most individuals, the palm of the hand is about the same as 1 percent of the skin surface. However, the severity of psoriasis is also measured by how psoriasis affects a person's quality of life.
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Nearly one-quarter of people with psoriasis have cases that are considered moderate to severe.

Cost of psoriasis

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Total direct and indirect health care costs of psoriasis for patients are calculated at $11.25 billion annually, with work loss accounting for 40 percent of the cost burden.5 Approximately 60 percent of psoriasis patients missed an average of 26 days of work a year due to their illness.6

Genetic aspects of psoriasis

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About one out of three people with psoriasis report having a relative with psoriasis.
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If one parent has psoriasis, a child has about a 10 percent chance of having psoriasis. If both parents have psoriasis, a child has approximately a 50 percent chance of developing the disease.

Learn More

* National Psoriasis Foundation Survey Panel Snapshots

Cited studies

1. Gelfand JM, Stern RS, Nijsten T, Feldman SR, Thomas J, Kist J, Rolstad T, Margolis DJ. The prevalence of psoriasis in African Americans: results from a population-based study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2005 Jan;52(1):23-6.
2. Stern RS, Nijsten T, Feldman SR, Margolis DJ, Rolstad T. Psoriasis is common, carries a substantial burden even when not extensive, and is associated with widespread treatment dissatisfaction. J Investig Dermatol Symp Proc. 2004 Mar;9(2):136-9.
3. Gelfand JM, Gladman DD, Mease PJ, Smith N, Margolis DJ, Nijsten T, Stern RS, Feldman SR, Rolstad T. Epidemiology of psoriatic arthritis in the population of the United States. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2005 Oct;53(4):573.
4. Gelfand JM, Feldman SR, Stern RS, Thomas J, Rolstad T, Margolis DJ. Determinants of quality of life in patients with psoriasis: a study from the U.S. population. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2004 Nov;51(5):704-8.
5. Fowler JF, Duh MS, Rovba L, Buteau S, Pinheiro L, Lobo F, Sung J, Doyle JJ, Swensen A, Mallett DA, Kosicki G. The impact of psoriasis on health care costs and patient work loss. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008 Nov; 59(5):772-80.
6. Horn EJ, Fox KM, Patel V, Chiou CF, Dann F, Lebwohl M. Association of patient reported psoriasis severity with income and employment. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007 Aug; 57(6):963-71.

What causes psoriasis?

No one knows exactly what causes psoriasis. However, it is understood that the immune system and genetics play major roles in its development. Most researchers agree that the immune system is somehow mistakenly triggered, which causes a series of events, including acceleration of skin cell growth. A normal skin cell matures and falls off the body in 28 to 30 days. A skin cell in a patient with psoriasis takes only 3 to 4 days to mature and instead of falling off (shedding), the cells pile up on the surface of the skin, forming psoriasis lesions.

Scientists believe that at least 10 percent of the general population inherits one or more of the genes that create a predisposition to psoriasis. However, only 2 percent to 3 percent of the population develops the disease. Researchers believe that for a person to develop psoriasis, the individual must have a combination of the genes that cause psoriasis and be exposed to specific external factors known as “triggers.”

Learn more about genetic and immune system involvement in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
Psoriasis triggers

Psoriasis triggers are not universal. What may cause one person’s psoriasis to become active, may not affect another. Established psoriasis triggers include:
Stress

Stress can cause psoriasis to flare for the first time or aggravate existing psoriasis. Relaxation and stress reduction may help prevent stress from impacting psoriasis.
Injury to skin

Psoriasis can appear in areas of the skin that have been injured or traumatized. This is called the Koebner [KEB-ner] phenomenon. Vaccinations, sunburns and scratches can all trigger a Koebner response. The Koebner response can be treated if it is caught early enough.
Medications

Certain medications are associated with triggering psoriasis, including:

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Lithium: Used to treat manic depression and other psychiatric disorders. Lithium aggravates psoriasis in about half of those with psoriasis who take it.
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Antimalarials: Plaquenil, Quinacrine, chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine may cause a flare of psoriasis, usually 2 to 3 weeks after the drug is taken. Hydroxychloroquine has the lowest incidence of side effects.
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Inderal: This high blood pressure medication worsens psoriasis in about 25 percent to 30 percent of patients with psoriasis who take it. It is not known if all high blood pressure (beta blocker) medications worsen psoriasis, but they may have that potential.
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Quinidine: This heart medication has been reported to worsen some cases of psoriasis.
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Indomethacin: This is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat arthritis. It has worsened some cases of psoriasis. Other anti-inflammatories usually can be substituted. Indomethacin's negative effects are usually minimal when it is taken properly. Its side effects are usually outweighed by its benefits in psoriatic arthritis.

Other triggers

Although scientifically unproven, some people with psoriasis suspect that allergies, diet and weather trigger their psoriasis. Strep infection is known to trigger guttate psoriasis.

Types of Psoriasis

Psoriasis appears in a variety of forms with distinct characteristics. Typically, an individual has only one type of psoriasis at a time. Generally, one type of psoriasis will clear and another form of psoriasis will appear in response to a trigger.
Plaque

Plaque psoriasis (psoriasis vulgaris) is the most prevalent form of the disease. About 80 percent of those who have psoriasis have this type. It is characterized by raised, inflamed, red lesions covered by a silvery white scale. It is typically found on the elbows, knees, scalp and lower back.
Guttate

Guttate [GUH-tate] psoriasis is a form of psoriasis that often starts in childhood or young adulthood. The word guttate is from the Latin word meaning "drop." This form of psoriasis appears as small, red, individual spots on the skin. Guttate lesions usually appear on the trunk and limbs. These spots are not usually as thick as plaque lesions.

Guttate psoriasis often comes on quite suddenly. A variety of conditions can bring on an attack of guttate psoriasis, including upper respiratory infections, streptococcal throat infections (strep throat), tonsillitis, stress, injury to the skin and the administration of certain drugs including antimalarials and beta-blockers.
Inverse

Inverse psoriasis is found in the armpits, groin, under the breasts, and in other skin folds around the genitals and the buttocks. This type of psoriasis appears as bright-red lesions that are smooth and shiny. Inverse psoriasis is subject to irritation from rubbing and sweating because of its location in skin folds and tender areas. It can be more troublesome in overweight people and those with deep skin folds.
Pustular

Primarily seen in adults, pustular psoriasis is characterized by white blisters of noninfectious pus (consisting of white blood cells) surrounded by red skin. There are three types of pustular psoriasis.

Pustular psoriasis may be localized to certain areas of the body, such as the hands and feet, or covering most of the body. It begins with the reddening of the skin followed by formation of pustules and scaling.

Pustular psoriasis may be triggered by internal medications, irritating topical agents, overexposure to UV light, pregnancy, systemic steroids, infections, stress and sudden withdrawal of systemic medications or potent topical steroids.
Erythrodermic

Erythrodermic [eh-REETH-ro-der-mik] psoriasis is a particularly inflammatory form of psoriasis that affects most of the body surface. It may occur in association with von Zumbusch pustular psoriasis. It is characterized by periodic, widespread, fiery redness of the skin and the shedding of scales in sheets, rather than smaller flakes. The reddening and shedding of the skin are often accompanied by severe itching and pain, heart rate increase, and fluctuating body temperature.

People experiencing the symptoms of erythrodermic psoriasis flare should go see a doctor immediately. Erythrodermic psoriasis causes protein and fluid loss that can lead to severe illness. The condition may also bring on infection, pneumonia and congestive heart failure. People with severe cases of this condition often require hospitalization.

Known triggers of erythrodermic psoriasis include the abrupt withdrawal of a systemic psoriasis treatment including cortisone; allergic reaction to a drug resulting in the Koebner response; severe sunburns; infection; and medications such as lithium, anti-malarial drugs; and strong coal tar products.

What is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune disease that appears on the skin. It occurs when the immune system sends out faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle of skin cells. Psoriasis is not contagious.

There are five types of psoriasis: plaque, guttate, inverse, pustular and erythrodermic. The most common form, plaque psoriasis, appears as raised, red patches or lesions covered with a silvery white buildup of dead skin cells, called scale. Psoriasis can occur on any part of the body and is associated with other serious health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease and depression.

According to the National Institutes of Health, as many as 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis.