Currents

Global Psoriasis Survey: Psoriasis Linked to Social Stigma

Eight-five percent of US respondents have suffered from social stigma like discrimination and humiliation because of their psoriasis, according to new results released by Novartis from its Clear About Psoriasis Survey, the largest global survey to date of people with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. In addition, US results from the global survey show that 52 percent of psoriasis patients do not believe clear skin is a realistic goal for them.

The survey reveals 48 percent of US respondents have been asked if they are contagious, 45 percent reported they have been stared at while out in public, and 48 percent noted they needed to do additional housework including cleaning up flakes or washing bloody or stained sheets. Also, 21 percent of respondents admitted to hiding themselves away from the world, 30 percent reported being diagnosed with depression, and 27 percent said they’ve been diagnosed with anxiety. More than half of US survey respondents (51 percent) noted that psoriasis has impacted past or current relationships.

More information is available at www.psoriasis.org/navigationcenter.

Dr. Jerry Bagel Awarded for Advancing Psoriasis Treatment and Advocacy

Jerry Bagel, MD received the 2016 Mercer County Medical Society Award for Excellence in Research and Patient Advocacy for his work in discovering new treatments for psoriasis and his advocacy for those affected by it. Dr. Bagel is a Practical Dermatology® Editorial Board Member and columnist. At Windsor Dermatology, Dr. Bagel has been involved in more than 100 clinical trials to develop new treatments and has written more than 50 articles in peer-reviewed journals. He has been a longtime member of the Medical Advisory Board for the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) and has been a voice for patients living with psoriasis, as well as a dedicated fundraiser for the organization and psoriasis research. The Psoriasis Treatment Center of Central New Jersey has been home to many clinical research studies and has been a leader in developing new treatments for psoriasis and other skin disorders.

Dr. Bagel says he feels particularly honored to receive this recognition from regional physicians who have seen firsthand the results from his patient care.

Bimekizumab Shows Promise

Bimekizumab, in development by UCB, has shown promise for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in Phase 1B studies. For the study, a total of 52 PsA patients inadequately controlled with at least one disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) and/or one biologic were randomized to receive bimekizumab or placebo. Bimekizumab showed fast and sustained efficacy on disease activity measures in skin and joints and was well-tolerated. Findings were presented at the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology in London, England.

Bimekizumab is an investigational humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody designed to potently and selectively inhibit the biological function of both IL-17A and IL-17F. n