Psoriasis, a lifelong skin disease that can cause incapacitating discomfort and distress, has long been dismissed as "merely a cosmetic condition". On World Psoriasis Day (WPD), 29 October 2006, the Psoriasis Association of Singapore (PAS), together with Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, will join patient associations worldwide to foster greater understanding of the condition and give people with psoriasis the consideration they deserve.

A "Hope for Psoriasis" tree - a platform for the expression of support and concern for psoriasis patients - will be the key highlight of this year's WPD. Other activities include a "Picnic in the Park" for psoriasis sufferers in Singapore, and a worldwide petition to recognise psoriasis as a critical disease deserving international attention.

About 125 million people around the world have psoriasis1. In Singapore, it is estimated that at least 40,000 people suffer from the condition2. This incurable skin disorder occurs when faulty signals in the immune system cause skin cells to regenerate too quickly. This results in inflamed, scaly lesions that can itch, crack, bleed, are extremely painful, and can be disfiguring. Daily activities that most people take for granted, such as going for a swim, can be difficult for psoriasis patients. What's more, studies have shown that up to 30 percent of people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis3 - a painful disease that causes stiffness and swelling in and around the joints.

"The general public still holds many misconceptions about psoriasis. The most prevalent, and perhaps also the most damaging, is that psoriasis is contagious. This has led to people with psoriasis being subjected to embarrassment, discrimination and social avoidance, which may lead to social withdrawal and feelings of isolation. Often, the psychological suffering can be more severe than the physical suffering. In fact, Quality of Life (QoL) research shows that people with psoriasis have almost similar reduction in QoL as people with diseases such as cancer and diabetes," Dr. Colin Theng, President, PAS, and Associate Consultant Dermatologist at the National Skin Centre.

"Through World Psoriasis Day, we want to raise awareness and dispel the myths about the condition, while providing a platform for people with psoriasis to speak up about living with the disease. We also want to equip them with information about improved treatment options, and empower them to improve their quality of life through greater support and understanding," Dr. Theng continued.

World Psoriasis Day Activities

The "Hope for Psoriasis" tree provides a channel where sufferers, as well as their families and friends, can express their support and concern for people with psoriasis. Besides tying a ribbon on the tree, patients will be encouraged to write short notes about their experience with, and their hopes for, psoriasis, be it treatment, wellbeing or greater support.

"Picnic in the Park" is a half-day affair that will allow the sharing of perspectives amongst psoriasis patients. There will also be an information session, conducted by Dr. Colin Theng, to equip participants with important information about managing psoriasis and improved treatment options.

Singapore Management University's Campus Green will be the venue for the "Hope for Psoriasis" tree, as well as the "Picnic in the Park".

During WPD, the public is also encouraged to pledge their support through the online WPD online petition, which aims to get the World Health Organisation (WHO) to take urgent action in recognising psoriasis as a critical disease. By doing so, WHO will increase the accessibility to appropriate care and treatment options for people with psoriasis. Please support the cause by signing the petition on the WPD website at worldpsoriasisday/index.php.

Treatment for Psoriasis

Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis have no cure, but many different therapies can reduce, or nearly stop, their symptoms. Existing treatments have had some success but often have undesirable side effects. In recent years, the arrival of biologic treatment agents, such as etanercept, has revolutionised psoriasis treatment. Etanercept, which is already indicated for psoriatic arthritis, received Health Sciences Authority approval for the treatment of psoriasis in July 2006.

Biologics are different from other medications for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis because they are designed to block specific immune pathways which play a key role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. While almost all treatments that work for these two conditions impact or target the immune system in some way, phototherapy and systemic medications such as methotrexate and cyclosporine have broad impact on the immune system and body, and may include the risk of potentially serious side effects on other organs4.

About Psoriasis Association of Singapore

The Psoriasis Association of Singapore (PAS) is a non-profit organisation formed in 1982. It is run by volunteers who are either psoriasis patients or relatives of patient, professionals, nurses/staff and social workers from National Skin Centre. It receives much support from members of the dermatology profession and the Dermatology Society of Singapore.

PAS's objectives are to disseminate medical information and support, and to provide an avenue for patients to meet to discuss and exchange ideas on how to cope on living with psoriasis. It hopes to foster co-ordination and development of all activities in relation to psoriasis, and promote the study of the causes and treatment of psoriasis and to disseminate medical information concerning psoriasis. For more information, please visit: psoriasis.sg.

About Wyeth Singapore

Wyeth Singapore is an affiliate of Wyeth, a major research-oriented pharmaceutical company with leading products in the areas of women's health care, cardiovascular therapies, central nervous system drugs, anti-inflammatory agents, vaccines, infectious disease, hemophilia, oncology and generic pharmaceuticals.

1 National Psoriasis Foundation. "About Psoriasis - Statistics" Available at
psoriasis/about/stats.
Accessed 4 October 2006

2 National Skin Centre. "About Psoriasis" Available at
nsc.sg/cgi- bin/WB_ContentGen.pl?id=171&gid=33.
Accessed 4 October 2006

3 National Psoriasis Foundation. "About Psoriasis - Statistics" Available at
psoriasis/about/stats.
Accessed 4 October 2006

4 National Psoriasis Foundation "Biologic Treatments" Available at
psoriasis/treatment/psoriasis/biologics/about.php.
Accessed 4 October 2005.