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.
CP-308719. May 2024
References
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Tohid H, et al. Skin Pharmacol Physiol 2016;29:220–30.
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National Psoriasis Foundation. Tips for better sleep with psoriatic disease. Available at: www.psoriasis.org/advance/tips-for-better-sleep-with-psoriatic-disease Accessed June 2020.
[3]
Rapp SR, et al. J Am Acad Dermatol 1999;41:401–7.
[4]
Pompili M, et al. J Int Med Res 2016;44(1 suppl):61–6.
[5]
World Health Organization. Global report on psoriasis. 2016. Available at: apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/204417/1/9789241565189_eng.pdf. Accessed June 2020.
[6]
PAPAA. Emollients and psoriasis. Available at: www.papaa.org/learn-about-psoriasis-and-psoriatic-arthritis/further-information/emollients-and-psoriasis/ Accessed: June 2020.
[7]
AAD. How long will I have to treat my psoriasis? Available at: www.aad.org/public/diseases/psoriasis/treatment/medications/how-long Accessed: June 2020.
[8]
Rendon A and Schäkel K. Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Mar; 20(6): 1475.
[9]
Bagel J, Schwartzman S. Am J Clin Dermatol 2018;19:839-852.
[10]
National Psoriasis Foundation. About psoriatic arthritis. Available at: www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriatic-arthritis Accessed: June 2020.
[11]
PAPAA. Psoriasis: a simple explanation. Available at: www.papaa.org/learn-about-psoriasis-and-psoriatic-arthritis/common-questions/psoriasis-a-simple-explanation/ Accessed: June 2020.
[12]
National Psoriasis Foundation. About psoriasis. Available at: www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis. Accessed June 2020.
[13]
Globe D, et al. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes 2009,7:62.
[14]
NHS. Psoriasis overview. Available at: www.nhs.uk/conditions/psoriasis/ Accessed: June 2020.
[15]
DermNet. Guidelines for the teratment of psoriasis. Available at: dermnetnz.org/topics/guidelines-for-the-treatment-of-psoriasis/ Accessed: July 2020.
[16]
NHS. Living with psoriasis. Available at: www.nhs.uk/conditions/psoriasis/living-with/ Accessed: June 2020.
