Psoriasis Flashcards
Describe the appearance of Psoriasis? [4]
Numerous small sharply demarcated [1] erythematous papules/plaques [1] with a micaceous scale [1]
On extensor surfaces all over body, scalp
Describe the appearance of Psoriasis in layman terms? [3]
Raised
Red clean-edged lesions
Sparkly scale
How does psoriasis affect the nails? [3]
Psoriasis of the nails presents with:
- Onycholysis
- Pitting
- Oil spots
What are Koebner’s phenonmenon and Woronoff’s Ring?
What is the Auspitz sign?
Koebnor’s Phenomenon - Lesions appear directly at sites of injury on the skin
Woronoff’s Ring - A blanched halo around lesions following topical therapy
Auspitz sign refers to the appearance of small bleeding points after successive layers of scale have been removed from the surface of psoriatic papules or plaques.
Describe how Psoriasis biopsies appear histologically? [5]
- Hyperkeratosis (Thickened stratum corneum)
- Munro’s Microabscesses (Neutrophils in S. Corneum)
- Psoriasiform Hyperplasia (Thick squamous cell layer, aka Acanthosis)
- Dilated dermal capillaries
- T cell infiltration
Whats the DDX for Psoriasis?
Seborrhoeic Dermatitis
Lichen Planus
Mycosis Fungoides
Describe the aetiology of Psoriasis?
A mixture of genetic susceptibility and an environmental trigger
What genes determine Psoriasis susceptibility?
PSORS1-9 genes
What are the main environmental triggers for Psoriasis? [4]
Infection
Drugs
Trauma
Sunlight
Age of onset is determined by a seperate gene?
HLA-Cw6
When do most people develop Psoriasis? [2]
Peaks at 20-30 and 50-60
But 75% occur before reaching 40
What are the parts of Psoriasis’ pathogenesis? [5]
Stressed Keratinocytes –> Th activation
Interleukins/TNF-alpha stimulate keratinocyte proliferation
Excess VEGF –> Angiogenesis
Neutrophils gather in acute disease causing pustules
Cell cycle is reduced from 28-5 days
How is keratinocyte proliferation stimulated? [3]
Interleukins and Anti-TNFalpha amplify the inflammatory cascade
What are the risk factors for Psoriasis? [7]
FH Smoking, Alcohol CVD Depression Drug/Light therapies Skin cancer Metabolic syndrome
What are the systemic signs of Psoriasis? [3]
Psoriatic Arthritis
Psychosocial problems
Metabolic syndrome
How is Psoriasis diagnosed? [2]
Clinical diagnosis
But if atypical take a biopsy and diagnose histologically
How would you treat Psoriasis in the GP? [7]
Avoid known ppt factors Soap Substitutes Emollients reduce scales Coal Tar Creams Vit D3 analogues eg Dovonex Topical Steroids (Genitals/flexures) Salicylic acid (keratolytic)
How do Vit D3 analogues help Psoriasis? [1]
They inhibit epidermal proliferation
How would a dermatologist treat Psoriasis? [3]
Crude Coal Tar (Day or inpatient treatment)
Dithranol
UVB phototherapy (for Guttate)
What are the systemic treatments for Psoriasis? [3]
Retinoids
Immunosuppression
Biologics
What isoretinoin is used in psoriasis?
What are monitoring requirements for isoretinoin? [2]
E.g. Acitretin
You must monitor LFTs, lipids and educate that they’re teratogenic for up to 3 yrs post treatment
Describe immunosuppresion use in Psoriasis? [2]
Cyclosporin - Fast acting so good for initial treatment (risks renal damage)
Methotrexate - Good for Psoriatic Arthritis but risks marrow suppression and liver damage
Describe biologic use in Psoriasis? [3]
Anti-TNF e.g. Infliximab
ILK-12, 23 e.g. Ustekinumab
Patients can develop antibodies to these therapies
How do we monitor patients with Psoriasis? [2]
Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI)
Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI)
List some variations of Psoriasis?
- Chronic plaque psoriasis
- Guttate Psoriasis
- Palmo-plantar Psoriasis
- Scalp Psoriasis
- Nail Psoriasis
- Flexure or Inverse Psoriasis
- Pustular Psoriasis
- Erythrodermic Psoriasis
How does chronic plaque Psoriasis tend to present? [2]
Large symmetrical plaques on the extensor surfaces
Silvery well defined red plaques
How does guttate Psoriasis occur/present? [3]
In kids/adolescents following a viral/bacterial infection
It may develop into chronic plaque Psoriasis
Lasts 3-4m
How do we investigate [2] and treat Guttate Psoriasis [1]?
ASO titre/History for recent infection
UVB phototherapy if doesn’t resolve on its own
How does Palmo-plantar Psoriasis or pustular present? [3]
Associated with smoking and sterile inflammatory bone lesions
Large yellow-brown pustules on the palms and soles
Why is scalp Psoriasis important?
Can lead to alopecia
How is flexural or inverse Psoriasis different?
Often lacks a scale, colonized with candida
Whats particularly bad about Erythrodermic Psoriasis [3]
What is it precipitated by usually?
Total body redness +/- pustule clusters
Elevated WCC and dehydration; emergency hospital admission rqd
Can be precipitated by abrupt steroid withdrawal
How do you manage Erythrodermic Psoriasis? [8]
- Admit to hospital
- Bloods (including excluding infection), will show elevated WCC
- IV access
- Thick/greasy emollient
- Correct fluid balance
- Find the trigger
- Avoid steroids
- Systemic or Biologic therapy
