Although it manifests itself with lesions on the skin, psoriasis is not “only” a skin disease, but a severe condition that can seriously compromise the psycho-physical well-being of those affected and from which there is rarely a definitive cure. It is, in fact, one chronic and relapsing disease, which alternates between worsening and improvement: today, however, the therapies available are numerous and can keep it under control and prevent relapses for a long time. But it is essential to talk to your dermatologist to obtain the most suitable treatment for each individual case and to adapt it to the evolution of the situation over time. With the aim of facilitating the doctor-patient relationship, PsoPoint is back, the digital platform that helps patients suffering from psoriasis to maintain an active dialogue with the specialist: through the website www.impattoinvisibile.it, interested Italian citizens will have the opportunity to to remotely get in touch with dermatologists associated with the Italian Hospital Dermatologists-Venereologists Association (Adoi) and with the Italian Society of Medical, Surgical, Aesthetic Dermatology and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (SIDeMaST).
It is not a single disease: from mild to very severe forms
The initiative, born last year to ensure continuity of care even during the lockdown, is being re-proposed with 12 national appointments to be held starting from April until December 2021. The dermatologist, through an online video-consultation, will respond to doubts and questions, will provide information on the pathology, any indications on the routes, advising, if necessary, to go to a center specialized in the treatment of psoriasis in your region. “Psoriasis is an extremely heterogeneous disease from a clinical point of view and can manifest itself in different forms and severities – recalls Ketty Peris, President of SIDeMaST and Full Professor of Dermatology as well as Director of Dermatology at the Catholic University Foundation Policlinico Universitario Gemelli in Rome -: ranging from skin lesions located in the elbows, knees or scalp up to very serious forms such as erythrodermal psoriatic arthritis. We can therefore say that probably psoriasis is not a single disease, because it sometimes occurs with only cutaneous forms but clinically very severe in which it can be associated with other pathologies such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, hypercholesterolemia, obesity ».
It affects about 2.5 million Italians
Psoriasis is a very common disease that affects millions of people around the world. Recent epidemiological studies show that in Italy about 3% of the population suffers from it, therefore it affects more or less 2.5 million compatriots, 10% of whom have a moderate-severe form, extending to a large part of the body surface. The complexity and chronic nature of this disease make the relationship and contact with the specialist essential: more than one in two patients with more than 20% of the body affected by psoriasis, declares that they are not being treated by a dermatologist because they are discouraged. «Despite being very widespread, psoriasis is often under-diagnosed and is associated with a set of disturbances in the psychic sphere, “invisible” – adds Peris -. Also for this reason each patient is a case in itself and there are specific assistance paths that the dermatologist specialist recommends according to the clinical case, so that the patient can be followed and treated in an optimal way “. Due to its extreme complexity, in fact, the disease must be treated according to a multidisciplinary program. The first filters are the general practitioners who have the opportunity to know well the pathologies of his client and the general health conditions. The patient can discuss the appearance or aggravation of a skin pathology such as psoriasis with the dermatologist. At this point hospital dermatologists take over who, through diagnostic-therapeutic paths, present within almost all hospitals, take charge of the patient ensuring continuity of care by evaluating any other problems connected with the intervention of other specialist figures ( cardiologist, rheumatologist, gastroenterologist, psychologist, neurologist).
Depression, anxiety, stress: the “invisible side” of the disease
Depression, anxiety, stress are the “invisible side” of psoriasis: its psychological burden, with the baggage of shame, stigma and social isolation, negatively affects the quality of life and the quality of care of patients. Being informed about the various aspects of psoriasis, the opportunities for treatment and the importance of the doctor-patient relationship is an important step in managing it.
«Because of the sense of shame and inadequacy the patient isolates himself, closes in the house with a negative effect on the quality of life and a worsening of the psoriasis itself – he stresses Mara Maccarone, president of the Association for the Defense of Psoriasis (Adipso) -. In addition to information, it is essential to be able to contact a specialist immediately because it means getting treated first. In this sense, the PsoPoint platform has actively contributed to putting patients in contact with specialists in the area. A first step to help the hesitant and suspicious patient, who thinks that the pathology cannot be treated, to speak to a specialist and if necessary be directed to a referral center for psoriasis “. The health emergency from Covid-19 has made the management of the disease even more difficult, depriving many patients in treatment of contact with their specialist. A constant dialogue with the dermatologist, also through digital channels, is essential not only to improve the treatment path and the quality of life of patients, but also to address the psychological implications that are often underestimated.
12 online appointments: how to book
“Patients with psoriasis have had to make many sacrifices, sometimes giving up checks and dialogue with the dermatologist – he concludes Francesco Cusano, president of Adoi and director of Dermatology at the San Pio Hospital “Gaetano Rummo” Hospital in Benevento -. We could say that the PsoPoint initiative has come at the right time and we are proud of the achievements achieved last year. It has put dialogue, hope, information and trust back into circulation and patients have no longer felt abandoned to themselves and has made it possible to establish contact, albeit remotely, between patients and dermatologists ».
The PsoPoint program was developed as part of the «Visible Psoriasis. Invisible impact – We look beyond appearances ”, promoted by Amgen, together with Adipso, Adoi and SIDeMaST.
The 12 PsoPoint appointments will take place from 9 to 13.00 and from 14 to 18 on 14 and 15 April, 21 and 22 April, 29 and 30 September, 6 and 7 October, 2 and 3 December, 9 and 10 December. Interested patients will be able to access the platform from all over Italy through the website www.impattoinvisibile.it and carry out an «telematic triage» by answering a short anonymous questionnaire. If identified by the system as eligible for contact with the dermatologist, the patient will be redirected to the portal dedicated to the consultation and will be able to choose the day of the appointment.
April 13, 2021 (change April 13, 2021 | 16:24)
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