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Genital Psoriasis: Impact on Quality of Life and Treatment Options

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Abstract

Psoriasis involving the genital skin occurs in up to two-thirds of psoriasis patients but is often overlooked by physicians. Furthermore, psoriasis objective and subjective severity indexes for common plaque psoriasis often neglect the impact this small area of psoriasis can have on a patient. It can have a significant impact on patients’ psychosocial function due to intrusive physical symptoms such as genital itch and pain, and a detrimental impact on sexual health and impaired relationships. The mainstay of treatment is topical therapy. In patients with genital psoriasis refractory to traditional topical treatment, biologic treatments may greatly improve patient outcomes.

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  1. Dermatology Department, St. Vincent’s University Hospital, Elm Park Rd, Dublin 4, Ireland

    Aine Kelly & Caitriona Ryan

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  1. Aine Kelly
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Correspondence to Aine Kelly.

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Conflict of interest

A Kelly has no conflicts of interest to declare. C. Ryan has acted as an advisor and/or speaker for AbbVie, Aqua, Dermira, Dr. Reddy’s, Eli Lilly and Company, Janssen, Medimetriks, Novartis, Regeneron-Sanofi, UCB and Xenoport.

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No funding was received to assist the preparation of this review.

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Kelly, A., Ryan, C. Genital Psoriasis: Impact on Quality of Life and Treatment Options. Am J Clin Dermatol 20, 639–646 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40257-019-00447-5

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