The PAPAA Forum: Psoriasis, Dr David Ashton

Systemic drug therapy in the obese patient with psoriasis Nov 8th 2020, 13.37

• Author: Dr David Ashton
• Topic: Psoriasis

Should a patient’s Body Mass Index (BMI) influence the choice of a systemic drug in the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis?  A recent report suggests that the answer is ‘Yes’¹.

There is a strong and consistent association between obesity and psoriasis; obese patients are more likely to develop psoriasis and its severity increases with …

Psoriasis and increased risk of migraine Feb 25th 2020, 13.47

• Author: Dr David Ashton
• Topic: Psoriasis

In recent years, several large studies have found an association between psoriasis and migraine.  This is perhaps not entirely surprising, given that both conditions share several underlying mechanisms, connected with inflammation.  But how strong is the relationship and what implications does this have for the management of psoriatic patients? 

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All in the mind - psoriasis and depression Jan 24th 2020, 13.45

• Author: Dr David Ashton
• Topic: Psoriasis

It is well known that depression is common in those with psoriasis.  In fact, of all conditions that co-occur with psoriasis, depression is the most common, affecting up to 80% of patients with the condition^1,2. Depression not only makes life miserable for sufferers; it increases the risk of psoriatic arthritis and worsens treatment outcomes and…

Pregnancy and psoriasis – for better or for worse? Jan 7th 2020, 13.44

• Author: Dr David Ashton
• Topic: Psoriasis

Pregnancy is clearly associated with profound changes in the female hormonal environment, especially oestrogen and progestogen.  These changes may modulate the biological and immune responses in the skin and contribute to anecdotal reports of an improvement in psoriasis during pregnancy.  Most of the published studies are retrospective and reflect …