International Psoriasis Council Hosts Second Educational Symposium To Increase Global Knowledge Of Psoriasis

Beginning Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009, the International Psoriasis Council (IPC) will host its second symposium at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. The two-day conference brings together dermatologists from Asia, Eastern Europe and Spain to elevate the global understanding of psoriasis and its treatment. Sessions will be facilitated by leading dermatologists and nurses dedicated to psoriasis management and research.


Participating dermatologists and the IPC faculty of experts will discuss a variety of topics ranging from diagnosis and treatment to comorbidities associated with the condition, which can include obesity, cardiovascular disease, lymphoma and depression1. Discussions also will highlight the use of a newer class of drugs, "biologics," which are used in treating patients with moderate to severe cases of the psoriasis.


The faculty will be led by Dr. Alan Menter, Chairman of Dermatology at Baylor University Hospital, Dallas with support from fellow scientists, clinicians and IPC members including Drs. Damien Chaussabel (Baylor Research Institute), Jack Cush (University of Texas Southwestern Medical School and Baylor Research Institute, Dallas), Caitriona Ryan (Baylor Research Institute) and Dan McCoy (Baylor University Medical Center), and Mary Wiatrowski, RN DNC (Baylor).


Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated disease that affects more than 125 million people worldwide, including nearly 7.5 million Americans. The condition results from inflammation in the skin and overproduction of skin cells that accumulate on the surface causing red, scaly plaques that may itch and bleed. In addition to being a painful and potentially debilitating condition, psoriasis often affects patients' everyday work and social life, as a result of the extreme discomfort and embarrassment associated with the skin plaques.


"Psoriasis can severely affect people physically and emotionally," says Alan Menter, M.D., president of IPC and chief of dermatology at Baylor. "We believe that sharing our understanding, learnings and clinical practices is critical to making advances in treating patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in the U.S. and throughout the world."


According to Karen Baxter Rodman, IPC CEO and executive director, since inception, IPC members and dermatologists from more than 18 countries have collaborated to foster an international environment of discussion among peers. "This symposium, like the first, supports our goal of continuing to increase global knowledge and best practices about this disease. This gathering will offer healthcare professionals and researchers valuable discussions about clinical experiences related to the treatment of patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis."


Financial support for the symposium has been provided by Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Services, a company committed to the research and development of treatment options for dermatologic diseases.


The First Global Symposium


The first symposium was hosted in Dallas at Baylor University Medical Center on October 29 - 31, in concert with World Psoriasis Day. It brought together doctors and researchers from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Ireland, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela, the U.K. and U.S.A. The two-day forum raised awareness among an international community of the health impact psoriasis has on its sufferers. IPC led successful interactions among dermatologists from Central and South America and Europe that enabled the sharing of best treatment practices and perspectives. For the first time, the psoriasis community was able to compare regional epidemiologic knowledge on the prevalence of psoriatic disease as well as highlight country and regional challenges with the management of disease.


About Psoriasis


Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory disease that may affect up to 125 million people worldwide with an average age of onset between 20-35 years. Seventy-five percent of all cases occur for the first time before the age of 40. As an immune-mediated disease, psoriasis usually requires long-term treatment for control.


1 Kimball, AB, Gladman, D, Gelfand, JM, et al. National Psoriasis Foundation clinical consensus on psoriasis comorbidities and recommendations for screening. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008;58:1031-42.


Source
International Psoriasis Council