Members of the College of Family Physicians of Canada may claim one non-certified credit per hour for this non-certified educational program.
Mainpro+® Overview
Yvonne Deng, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Joseph Lam, MD FRCPC, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Dermatology and Skin Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Abstract
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects up to 1.4% of children (aged <18 years) with a strong genetic predisposition and is mediated by dysregulation in the crosstalk between the innate and adaptive immune responses. It can have significant impact on quality of life for many patients. There are various subtypes of psoriasis with plaque psoriasis being the most common presentation in both adults and children. Pediatric psoriasis is primarily a clinical diagnosis. With the advent of biologics, the treatment landscape for pediatric psoriasis has shifted and encompasses diverse modalities of therapeutics, including topical and systemic treatments, as well as phototherapy.
Key Words: pediatric psoriasis, psoriasis, chronic, inflammatory, skin disease.
Introduction
Psoriasis is a chronic, papulosquamous inflammatory skin disease with potentially devastating impairments on the quality of life for affected pediatric patients. It classically affects the scalp, extensor elbows and knees and presacral skin. The disease carries significant medical, psychosocial, and financial burden on patients and is associated with a number of comorbidities. Plaque psoriasis, the most common variant in children, is characterized by well-demarcated, erythematous plaques with silvery scales. Psoriasis can have various subtypes and degrees of severity. Shared decision making with the patient and family is integral in deciding the optimal treatment approach. Psoriasis is often chronic but can be managed optimally with treatments customized to the patient’s age, quality of life, and severity of disease. This review provides an overview on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and current guidelines for management of pediatric psoriasis.
