World Psoriasis Day: ‘Two to four per cent Pakistanis affected by psoriasis’
Siddiqui says Inflamed scaly red skin regions are the most common symptoms of psoriasis in patients
Dr Nadim Siddiqui, a member of Pakistan Association of Dermatology and International Society of Dermatology speaking at a press conference in Karachi on October 27, 2015. PHOTO: EXPRESS/ MOHAMMAD AZEEM
KARACHI:
At least two to four per cent Pakistanis are affected by psoriasis that is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease, said Dr Nadim Siddiqui, a member of Pakistan Association of Dermatology and International Society of Dermatology.
Siddiqui was addressing a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Tuesday, ahead of World Psoriasis Day that is marked on October 29. He said that more than 125 million people across the world are affected with this particular skin disease.
Inflamed scaly red skin regions are the most common symptoms of psoriasis in patients, explained Siddiqui. "The skin itches and causes severe pain to the patient."
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Patients do not take skin diseases seriously as they think it is not life threatening, he said, discussing the significance of raising awareness regarding the disease.
Awareness level of skin diseases like psoriasis is very low despite the fact that its prevalence ranges from 20 to 50 per cent in developing countries, he claimed.
Sometimes skin diseases also become a social stigma as the patients feel that society will ostracise them, said Siddiqui. "Patients often become reclusive and develop mental health problems. In some severe cases, patients have even thought about suicide," he said.
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While elaborating about the diseases associated with psoriasis, Dr Suhaib Yousufee, a senior dermatologist, said that psoriasis can also cause inflammation of the joints that is known as psoriatic arthritis. Almost 10 to 15 per cent of people with psoriasis have psoriatic arthritis, claimed Yousufee.
The risk of diabetes mellitus rises substantially in patients with psoriasis, he said. Patients with severe psoriasis have a 62 per cent more risk of developing the illness, he claimed.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 28th, 2015.
At least two to four per cent Pakistanis are affected by psoriasis that is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease, said Dr Nadim Siddiqui, a member of Pakistan Association of Dermatology and International Society of Dermatology.
Siddiqui was addressing a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Tuesday, ahead of World Psoriasis Day that is marked on October 29. He said that more than 125 million people across the world are affected with this particular skin disease.
Inflamed scaly red skin regions are the most common symptoms of psoriasis in patients, explained Siddiqui. "The skin itches and causes severe pain to the patient."
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Patients do not take skin diseases seriously as they think it is not life threatening, he said, discussing the significance of raising awareness regarding the disease.
Awareness level of skin diseases like psoriasis is very low despite the fact that its prevalence ranges from 20 to 50 per cent in developing countries, he claimed.
Sometimes skin diseases also become a social stigma as the patients feel that society will ostracise them, said Siddiqui. "Patients often become reclusive and develop mental health problems. In some severe cases, patients have even thought about suicide," he said.
4 ways to keep skin diseases away this monsoon
While elaborating about the diseases associated with psoriasis, Dr Suhaib Yousufee, a senior dermatologist, said that psoriasis can also cause inflammation of the joints that is known as psoriatic arthritis. Almost 10 to 15 per cent of people with psoriasis have psoriatic arthritis, claimed Yousufee.
The risk of diabetes mellitus rises substantially in patients with psoriasis, he said. Patients with severe psoriasis have a 62 per cent more risk of developing the illness, he claimed.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 28th, 2015.