Summit to address new insights on treatments for psoriasis sufferers

Entitled 'Raising the Bar in Psoriasis Treatment', the summit aims to educate professionals in the region on insights into new targeted therapies for psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a long-lasting skin disease that affects both men and women and is visible on the skin in the form of red itchy scales. Psoriasis usually appears on the elbows and knees of the patient, but sometimes may affect the lower back, face and the feet. In patients suffering from psoriasis, its impact can have far- reaching psychological effects. It is often viewed as contagious or a sign of bad hygiene and sufferers are more prone to bouts of depression.

The objective of the three day summit is to raise awareness of the psoriasis disease burden and associated co-morbidities. It will identify the mechanism of action of new-targeted therapies, define the best practice in the use of systemic treatment approaches and review the clinical considerations and long term safety of biological therapies. The summit also aims to improve the management strategies for psoriatic arthritis, which is a condition that causes swelling and pain in and around the joints.

The seminar includes a series of talks and lectures from professionals throughout MENA and also incorporates innovative, interactive workshops. Dr Hussein Abdel Dayem, Consultant Dermatologist at Mafraq Hospital, Abu Dhabi, speaking at the seminar states that 'Psoriasis has physically and emotionally crippling effects on the sufferer and we need to continually build upon our knowledge of treating the disease and developing our management strategies if we are to successfully alleviate the symptoms'.

Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis cannot be cured, but many different therapies can reduce, or nearly stop their symptoms. In recent years, the arrival of a new class of drugs called biologics has revolutionised the treatment of psoriasis. Biologics are different from most medicines in that they are made from human or animal proteins.

Dr. Hussein Abdel Dayem added 'The summit provides an excellent insight into the management and treatment of psoriasis and includes new and innovative practice in the use of biologics. Psoriasis can be quite challenging and the summit represents a firm commitment to raise the standard of therapies available to psoriasis sufferers. It is another valuable step to help alleviate the burden of this disease.'