How is Pso diagnosed?
How is Pso diagnosed?
Your GP (General Practitioner) may refer you to a dermatologist, a specialist skin doctor, who will probably be able to diagnose your psoriasis (Pso) just by looking at it. However, if he or she thinks it is necessary, a biopsy (a small skin sample) may also be taken to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other diseases. If your Pso was triggered by a throat infection, a swab carried out on the throat can identify the presence of bacteria, and you may be prescribed an antibiotic.
Up to 30% of people with Pso also suffer from psoriatic arthritis, a form of arthritis that affects the joints. If you have Pso with joint pain, you may be referred to a rheumatologist for diagnosis (confirmation), monitoring and treatment.
TOP TIPS
If you notice joint pain that doesn’t go away, tell your doctor
Your dermatologist may keep an eye on your skin symptoms using one or more of the following scales:
PASI
- The Psoriasis Area and Severity Index rates how much of the body is affected and how severe the Pso. It combines the severity and surface area for six regions of the body, assigning scores ranging from 0 to 72. Usually, the higher your score, the lower your quality of life.
BSA
- The Body Surface Area scale measures how much of the body surface area is affected by the psoriasis, using the size of one hand to represent 1% of your body’s surface area.
NAPSI
- The Nail Psoriasis Severity Index divides the nail into quadrants and assesses the psoriasis in both the nail itself and in the nail bed just beneath it.
References
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National Psoriasis Foundation. About psoriatic arthritis. Available at: https://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriatic-arthritis Accessed: November 2023.
[2]
Creakyjoints. Psoriatic arthritis flare-ups. Available at: https://creakyjoints.org/living-with-arthritis/psoriatic-arthritis-flare-ups/ Accessed: November 2023.
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NHS. Psoriatic arthritis. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/psoriatic-arthritis/ Accessed: November 2023.
[4]
NHS. Psoriasis treatments. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/psoriasis/treatment/ Accessed: November 2023
[5]
Lee MP et al. Arthritis Care Res 2018;70(5): 791-6.
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NICE. Apremilast for treating active psoriatic arthritis. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta433 Accessed: November 2023
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Versus Arthritis. Ciclosporin. Available at: https://www.versusarthritis.org/media/23512/ciclosporin-information-booklet-april2021.pdf Accessed: November 2023
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AAD. Psoriatic arthritis treatment. Available at: https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/psoriatic-arthritis-treatment Accessed: November 2023
[9]
British Association of Dermatologists. Fumaric acid esters. Available at: https://www.bad.org.uk/pils/dimethyl-fumarate/ Accessed: November 2023
[10]
Ceglowska U, et al. Value in Health 2014: PSS6.
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Arthritis Foundation. NSAIDs. Available at: https://www.arthritis.org/drug-guide/nsaids/nsaids Accessed: November 2023
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NHS. Biological and biosimilar medicines. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/biological-and-biosimilar-medicines/ Accessed: November 2023
[13]
National Psoriasis Foundation. Biologics. Available at: https://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis/treatments/biologics Accessed: November 2023
[14]
British Association of Dermatologists. Guidelines for biologic therapy for psoriasis. 2017. Accessed: November 2023.
[15]
Verywell Health. Treating psoriatic arthritis with JAK inhibitors. Available at: https://www.verywellhealth.com/jak-inhibitors-psa-treatment-research-side-effects-4690551 Accessed: November 2023.
[16]
British Association of Dermatologists. Topical treatments for psoriasis. Available at: https://www.bad.org.uk/pils/psoriasis-topical-treatments/ Accessed: November 2023.
[17]
GP Notebook. Phototherapy in psoriasis. Available at: GP Notebook. Phototherapy in psoriasis. Available at: https://gpnotebook.com/simplepage.cfm?ID=1584070677 Accessed: November 2023.