TY - JOUR
T1 - Recognition and treatment of psoriasis. Special considerations in elderly patients
AU - Bonifati, Claudio
AU - Carducci, Massinio
AU - Mussi, Anna
AU - D'Auria, Luciano
AU - Ameglio, Franco
PY - 1998
Y1 - 1998
N2 - Psoriasis is a chronic dermatological disorder that affects 1 to 2% of the general population. Although its aetiology is still unknown, the importance of genetic factors has been confirmed by many studies, mainly in young individuals. With respect to clinical features, plaque-type psoriasis (localised or generalised) is the most common form. At present, there is no cure for psoriasis and the available treatments can only temporarily clear the skin manifestations. The choice of treatment regimen for psoriasis is based on the severity of the disease, the patient's gender, age, treatment history and level of compliance, and the physician's personal experience. All therapies for psoriasis have different and potentially toxic effects. Therefore, a good knowledge of their relative and absolute contraindications, adverse effects and interactions with other drugs is mandatory. The elderly represent a significant proportion of patients with psoriasis because its prevalence increases with age. Physicians, particularly general practitioners, dermatologists and gerontologists, must be aware of the problems that the treatment of psoriasis in the elderly can present. This is especially important because of the increased risk of adverse drug reactions in the elderly.
AB - Psoriasis is a chronic dermatological disorder that affects 1 to 2% of the general population. Although its aetiology is still unknown, the importance of genetic factors has been confirmed by many studies, mainly in young individuals. With respect to clinical features, plaque-type psoriasis (localised or generalised) is the most common form. At present, there is no cure for psoriasis and the available treatments can only temporarily clear the skin manifestations. The choice of treatment regimen for psoriasis is based on the severity of the disease, the patient's gender, age, treatment history and level of compliance, and the physician's personal experience. All therapies for psoriasis have different and potentially toxic effects. Therefore, a good knowledge of their relative and absolute contraindications, adverse effects and interactions with other drugs is mandatory. The elderly represent a significant proportion of patients with psoriasis because its prevalence increases with age. Physicians, particularly general practitioners, dermatologists and gerontologists, must be aware of the problems that the treatment of psoriasis in the elderly can present. This is especially important because of the increased risk of adverse drug reactions in the elderly.
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U2 - 10.2165/00002512-199812030-00002
DO - 10.2165/00002512-199812030-00002
M3 - Article
C2 - 9534019
AN - SCOPUS:0031885541
VL - 12
SP - 177
EP - 190
JO - Drugs and Aging
JF - Drugs and Aging
SN - 1170-229X
IS - 3
ER -