Psoriasis Flashcards
What is psoriasis?
Inflammatory and hyperplastic disease of the skin
what are hallmark characteristics of psoriasis?
erythema (redness)
elevated,scaly plaques
what is the global prevalence of psoriasis?
0.1%-8.5%
in reality, its ~double
what is the avg age of getting psoriasis? what is early onset and late onset psoriasis?
avg: 23-37 years
early: 16-22yrs
late: 57-60yrs
what is the difference between early and late onset?
early is usually more severe, extensive, and likely to have an affected 1st degree family member
what are 5 external predisposing factors?
obesity alcohol consumptions smoking stress viral/bacterial infections (HIV)
how does smoking affect psoriasis?
breath in foreign particles and trigger immune response
increases risk and severity
how does HIV affect psoriasis?
can predispose to disease onset or trigger relapse
shed antigen can lead to bacteria colonizing on skin and shedding proteins that can trigger an immune response
What kinds of infections are associated with psoriasis?
strep throat (streptococcal pharyngitis) - can cause a flare or trigger onset
thrush (candida albicans)
boils (staphylococcal skin infections) - cause flare
viral upper respiratory infections - cause flare
what is the koebner phenomenon?
skin lesions forming at the site of skin trauma (cuts, bruises, bumps, etc)
occurs 1-2wks after injury to dermis layer
what are 5 physiologic roles of skin?
1) barrier to elements and pathogens
2) thermo-regulator protecting the body from excessive heat loss/overheating
3) protects from UV radiation
4) wound repair and regeneration
5) synthesizes vitamin D
what are the 3 layers of skin?
epidermis
dermis
hypo-dermis
what is the function of the epidermis?
physical barrier
protects the skin from environment
what is the dermis?
layer of connective tissue containing blood vessels?
what is the function of the hypo-dermis?
provides structural integrity of the skin
what is the outermost layer of strata on the epidermis?
stratum corneum
what are 4 cell types found in the epidermis? which is most abundant
keratinocytes - most abundant
melanocytes
langerhans cells
merkel cells
what is the function of keratinocytes?
produce keratin
what is keratin?
key structural material making up the outer layer and integrity of skin, hair, and nails
what is the function of melanocytes?
pigment production
what is the function if langerhans cells?
detects, attacks, neutralizes, and eliminates foreign bodies
what is the function of merkel cells?
involved in the function of touch
what is the life cycle of keratinocytes?
start in basal layer (basal cells)
differentiate on transit from basal cell to stratum corneum
lose nuclei and organelles and become corneocytes
what is the stratum corneum comprised of?
dead keratinocytes (corneocytes) that have migrated from basal cells
What is the first step of T-cell mediated autoimmune response?
unknown skin antigen stimulates immune response
What is the second step of T-cell mediated autoimmune response?
impaired differentiation and hyperproliferation of keratinocytes on the stratum corneum layer of epidermis