77% of patients with psoriasis have experienced stigmatisation
About 125 million people worldwide [2] are affected by psoriasis, a chronic systemic immune disease with a large impact on the quality of life of patients, the majority of whom suffer from low self-esteem and depression. Moreover, 77% of patients with psoriasis have experienced stigmatization[1] due to the disease and nearly 60% say that psoriasis affects their everyday life [4]. Specifically, 98% of patients report that psoriasis impacts their emotional life, 94% their social life, 70% family life and 68% their professional career [5].
According to the Swedish Psoriasis Association, 65% of patients have reported discrimination at work [6] or at school. One in four believe it is harder to find a job if you have psoriasis and they cannot often choose the career they want [6]. Moreover psoriasis may increase the risk of developing depression and other conditions, like heart disease or diabetes [3].
Sophie Andersson, Executive Director of International Federation of Psoriasis Associations (IFPA), points out that “it is important to give a clear picture of the reality of the life faced by people living with psoriasis worldwide to show that the disease has very many sides and to highlight that it is a chronic, life-long disease. Psoriasis has not a cure yet, it is not contagious and it is so much more than just a skin condition. The skin inflammation is just the tip of the iceberg, as there is increasing evidence suggesting links with serious health concerns such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, liver disease, depression and obesity. Moreover, aside from its physical burden, there is psychological and emotional impact experienced by psoriasis sufferers."
Almirall, as a leading skin-health company focused on psoriasis and an active collaborating partner of International Federation for Psoriasis Associations (IFPA) joins the activities supporting World Psoriasis Day 2017.
The theme for World Psoriasis Day 2017 is “Psoriasis Inside Out” and it is all about showing all aspects of the disease and to give a face to psoriasis and to share stories. From IFPA and its members in 56 countries, are organising awareness-raising and advocacy campaigns to improve access to treatment, increase understanding and build unity among the psoriasis community. For this reason, Almirall, as a collaborating member of IFPA, has created a series of videos called “The skin uncomfort-zone” to raise awareness about how psoriasis patients feel singled out every day. In the audiovisual pieces, different scenes show peoples’ reactions when watching a person with psoriasis. The main message of “The skin uncomfort-zone” is that the first step to help patients and learn about their condition is to understand how they feel. The videos are available in different languages at Almirall’s YouTube channel.
References
1. IFPA member survey 2011
2. International Federation of Psoriasis Associations (IFPA) available at https://ifpa-pso.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Brochure-Psoriasis-is-a-serious-diseasedeserving- global-attention.pdf
3. International Federation of Psoriasis Associations (IFPA) available at https://ifpa-pso.com/our-cause/
4. Armstrong A. W., Schupp C, Wu J, Bebo B. Quality of life and work productivity impairment among psoriasis patients: findings from the National Psoriasis Foundation survey Data 2003-2011. PLoS One. 2012;7 (12):e52935
5. World Health Organization. 2016. Global report on PSORIASIS available at http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/204417/1/9789241565189_eng.pdf 6. Swedish Psoriasis Association member survey 2006
