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Psoriasis: Epidemiology, Potential Triggers, Disease Course

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Advances in Psoriasis

Abstract

Worldwide prevalence rates of psoriasis range from 0.6 to 4.8 %. The disease tends to have a bimodal distribution of onset with the major peak occurring at age of 20–30, and a later smaller peak occurring at age of 50–60. While there are many potential triggers of psoriasis, infections are an important trigger and up to half of children with psoriasis have an exacerbation within 2 weeks following an upper respiratory infection. Psychological distress is a causative or maintaining factor in disease expression for many patients with psoriasis. Other well-documented triggers for flares include trauma, alcohol and smoking, as well as obesity. Plaque psoriasis is usually chronic with intermittent remissions. Plaques may persist for months to years at the same locations; however, periods of complete remission may occur.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Sofia Medical Faculty, 1st Saint Georgi Sofiiski blvd, Sofia, 1431, Bulgaria

    Ivan Grozdev MD, PhD

  2. Department of Dermatology, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Lakeside 3537B, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA

    Neil J. Korman MD, PhD

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  1. Ivan Grozdev MD, PhD
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Correspondence to Ivan Grozdev MD, PhD .

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  1. St. Luke's -Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, New York, USA

    Jeffrey M. Weinberg

  2. Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA

    Mark Lebwohl

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Grozdev, I., Korman, N.J. (2014). Psoriasis: Epidemiology, Potential Triggers, Disease Course. In: Weinberg, J., Lebwohl, M. (eds) Advances in Psoriasis. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4432-8_4

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