Largest Survey of Its Kind Finds That People With Psoriasis Are at Risk for Other...

Largest Survey of Its Kind Finds That People With Psoriasis Are at Risk for
Other Medical Conditions

National Psoriasis Foundation data show more than half of those with psoriasis
have other health issues

PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Emerging research reveals
that people with psoriasis are at risk for developing other serious medical
conditions including heart disease, diabetes and obesity. According to a new
study by the National Psoriasis Foundation, of 5,000 people with psoriasis,
nearly two-thirds report having at least one other critical health problem

Psoriasis is the most prevalent autoimmune disease in the country, affecting
as many as 7.5 million Americans. Appearing on the skin most often as red
scaly patches that itch and bleed, psoriasis is chronic, painful, disfiguring
and disabling. There is no cure for psoriasis.

According to the National Psoriasis Foundation patient survey:
-- Nearly 70 percent of people with psoriasis are overweight or obese.
-- 33 percent have high blood pressure.
-- 28 percent have another chronic, inflammatory disease such as lupus,
Crohn's disease or multiple sclerosis.
-- 24 percent have high cholesterol.

-- 11 percent have diabetes.

"This data reinforces what we've known all along. Psoriasis is a very serious
condition that impacts the body well beyond the skin," said Mark Lebwohl,
M.D., professor and chairman of dermatology at the Mount Sinai School of
Medicine and chair of the National Psoriasis Foundation Medical Board. "Like
any patient with a chronic disease, people with psoriasis must see their
doctor regularly and adopt a healthy lifestyle to lessen their risk of
developing another serious disease."

Additionally, up to 30 percent of people with psoriasis develop psoriatic
arthritis, which causes pain, swelling and stiffness around the joints. People
with mild psoriasis are just as likely to develop psoriatic arthritis as those
with moderate or severe forms of the disease.

The National Psoriasis Foundation urges people with psoriasis and psoriatic
arthritis to work with their dermatologists to find an appropriate treatment
regimen to help manage their disease.

The organization also encourages patients to pay careful attention to their
joints and to see a doctor if they experience tenderness or pain over tendons,
swollen fingers or toes, changes to the nails such as pitting, or morning
stiffness or tiredness, which could indicate the onset of psoriatic arthritis.

August is Psoriasis Awareness Month and the National Psoriasis Foundation is
working to raise awareness about the physical, social and emotional impact of
psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

About Psoriasis Awareness Month
The National Psoriasis Foundation works year-round to improve the lives of
people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Psoriasis Awareness Month is a
special opportunity to educate the public about these diseases. Sponsored by
the National Psoriasis Foundation every August, Psoriasis Awareness Month is
dedicated to raising awareness, educating the public and dispelling myths
about psoriasis. For more information, go to www.psoriasis.org.

About the National Psoriasis Foundation
The National Psoriasis Foundation is the world's largest nonprofit patient
advocacy organization, and the voice for millions of Americans who are
affected by psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Our mission is to find a cure
for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and to eliminate their devastating
effects through research, advocacy and education. For more information, call
the Psoriasis Foundation, headquartered in Portland, Ore., at 800.723.9166, or
visit www.psoriasis.org.

SOURCE National Psoriasis Foundation

Catie Coman of the National Psoriasis Foundation, +1-800-723-9166 x369,
+1-971-570-5884 (cell), ccoman@psoriasis.org