Genetic insights are reshaping how we understand the development and comorbidities of psoriasis, as well as treatment response in patients. Hear Dr. Audrey Bui discuss how genetic variants influence risks for certain conditions, how they may predict response to therapies like methotrexate, ustekinumab, and IL-17 inhibitors, and how integrating genetic markers into clinical care can enable more targeted, effective psoriasis management. Dr. Bui is a recent graduate from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and an intern at the University of Central Florida prior to starting her dermatology residency at Hackensack Meridian Health Palisades Medical Center.
Inflammatory skin diseases like psoriasis don’t just affect the skin—they can often reflect broader cardiovascular risks. Given the overlap between dermatology and cardiology, knowing how to spot warning signs early and what steps to take during routine visits is key to comprehensive care. Joining Dr. Mary Cheeley to discuss the connection between the skin and the heart are Drs. Joel Gelfand and Michael Garshick. Dr. Gelfand is a dermatologist at the University of Pennsylvania and the Director of the Psoriasis and Phototherapy Treatment Center and the Center for Clinical Sciences in Dermatology. Dr. Garshick is a cardiologist and the Director of the Cardio-Rheumatology Program at NYU Langone Health, as well as an Assistant Professor of Medicine and Dermatology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.
Home-based narrowband UVB phototherapy may offer a more accessible and effective option for managing psoriasis, as shown by the results of a recent study. With benefits like improved adherence, lower costs, and greater accessibility, this approach offers a compelling alternative for patients managing chronic disease. Explore the implications of this research and how it could shape future clinical practice with Dr. Joel Gelfand and Valerie Harrison. Dr. Gelfand is the Director of the Psoriasis and Phototherapy Treatment Center and the Center for Clinical Sciences in Dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania, as well as the lead investigator of the LITE study. Valerie Harrison is a study participant and a member of the National Psoriasis Foundation’s Board of Directors.
Psoriasis affects nearly eight million adults in the US, but its impact isn’t felt equally; significant disparities in diagnosis exist across race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Join Dr. Joe Tung as he discusses his recent analysis of data from the National Health Interview Survey, in which he explored the most affected patient populations, the potential for underdiagnosis, and the broader ties between psoriasis, metabolic health, and life satisfaction. Dr. Tung is a board-certified dermatologist currently serving as the Medical Director of UPMC Falk Dermatology, Director of the Clinical Trials Unit, and Associate Director of the Dermatology Residency Program.
From novel oral therapies to advancements in biologic injections, the treatment landscape for psoriasis is rapidly evolving. Here to share his insights on how these new treatment strategies could improve efficacy, reduce safety concerns, and even make once-yearly biologic dosing a reality is Dr. Andrew Blauvelt. Dr. Blauvelt is a dermatologist and clinical researcher with a focus on innovative treatments for psoriasis.
Psoriasis is more than just a skin condition—it can significantly impact a patient’s relationships, daily functioning, and overall quality of life. Tune in to hear Dr. Philip J. Mease discuss the multidimensional nature of psoriasis and the importance of a holistic approach to care. Dr. Mease is the Director of Rheumatology Research at Providence Swedish Medical Center and Clinical Professor at the University of Washington.
While systemic therapies like deucravacitinib have previously only been recommended for patients with moderate-to-severe plague psoriasis, it may be worth questioning whether body surface area alone is enough to dictate its use. Learn when scalp psoriasis may call for systemic therapies with Dr. Andrew Blauvelt, a dermatologist and clinical researcher with a focus on innovative treatments for psoriasis.
Researchers speculate that the Mediterranean Diet may have benefits for psoriasis patients because of its anti-inflammatory effects. In fact, a recent study has been examining the relationship between the Mediterranean Diet and factors like skin health, quality of life, and markers of inflammation in the blood. Join Dr. Joel M. Gelfand, Director of the Psoriasis and Phototherapy Treatment Center and Director of the Center for Clinical Sciences in Dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, as he discusses this study and its potential impacts on psoriasis care.
A recent retrospective study using the Alberta Health Services Data Repository of Reporting found that patients with psoriasis had a significantly lower lifespan than a control group of patients with a comparable health profile. Join Dr. Robert Gniadecki, Professor and Director of the Division of Dermatology at the University of Alberta, as he dives into this data and explains implications for clinical practice.
As the only FDA-designated selective TYK2 inhibitor, deucravacitinib has emerged as a potential therapeutic option for scalp psoriasis. And after analyzing its impacts in a phase III clinical trial, it has continued to show promise in terms of both efficacy and safety. Hear more about deucravacitinib and how it compares to alternate options like JAK inhibitors from Dr. Andrew Blauvelt, a dermatologist and clinical researcher with a focus on innovative treatments for psoriasis.
Managing psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and axial spondyloarthritis with ixekizumab may cause adverse effects in patients. That’s why a recent research review further investigated the safety of this treatment over time, analyzing data from 25 clinical trials and noting common side effects. Learn more about ixekizumab’s long-term use with Dr. Atul Deodhar, the lead author of this study. He’s also a Professor of Medicine and the Medical Director of Rheumatology Clinics at Oregon Health & Science University.
A recent study led by Dr. Philip J. Mease examined the factors contributing to biologic therapy switching among patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Using data from the CorEvitas Psoriasis Registry, the study identified key drivers, including high Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores, poor quality of life, and significant joint pain. Tune in to learn more about these findings and their implications for patient care with Dr. Mease, Director of Rheumatology Research at Providence Swedish Medical Center and Clinical Professor at the University of Washington.
Oftentimes patients with skin of color are diagnosed with psoriasis at a later stage than Caucasian patients. There are also disparities in access to treatment and education. According to a recent study, some patients with skin of color were less willing to use certain medications to treat their psoriasis. To learn more, join Dr. Raj Chovatiya and Dr. Tina Bhutani, Associate Adjunct Professor of Dermatology at the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine and Owner of Synergy Dermatology in San Francisco.
According to a recent study, patients with skin of color waited three times longer to be formally diagnosed with psoriasis and were almost four times more likely to be biopsied compared to non-Hispanic patients. And as a result, these patients were more likely to present with severe disease, greatly impacting their overall quality of life. To learn more about this study’s findings and how we can address racial disparities in psoriasis care, Dr. Charles Turck speaks with lead author Dr. Taylor Dickerson. Dr. Dickerson is a board-certified dermatologist and micrographic dermatologic surgeon at U.S. Dermatology Partners in Texas.
According to recent studies, only about 50 percent of psoriasis patients are adherent to topical medications by the end of an eight-week treatment period. This can have a significant impact on a patient’s overall quality of life and outcomes, which is why Dr. Raj Chovatiya speaks with Dr. Steven Feldman about strategies to improve psoriasis patients’ adherence to topical agents. Dr. Feldman is a Professor of Dermatology, Pathology, Social Sciences, and Health Policy at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
There are a few key points that dermatologists need to keep at the forefront of conversations to help bridge education gaps around psoriasis. One is to try and eliminate burdens that are deterring practitioners in dermatology from using highly effective and very safe medications. To learn more on how we can have a positive impact on education gaps and advocacy, join Dr. Raj Chovatiya as he speaks with Dr. Jason Hawkes, Medical Dermatologist in Sacramento, California.
A recent study was conducted looking at initial therapies for newly diagnosed psoriasis patients by race. Prior studies have shown differences by race in terms of emerging treatments for different dermatological diseases, which have also shown differential biologic treatments based on race. To learn about the findings and how we can help fill this gap, join Dr. Shari Lipner, Associate Professor of Clinical Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medicine and co-author of the article, titled Racial Disparities in Primary Therapy for Newly Diagnosed Psoriasis Patients, which was published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology in July 2023.
Getting the proper treatment for patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis can be life-changing. So how can clinicians help patients find the right medication? To discuss this topic together, Dr. Matthew Keller is joined by fellow ReachMD host, Dr. Monica Schwartzman, who is also a Rheumatologist.