Global Psoriasis Diagnoses Reach 43 Million
Global psoriasis diagnoses reached 43 million, according to data from the third edition of the Global Psoriasis Atlas. The project, promoted by IFPA, the International League of Dermatological Societies, and the International Psoriasis Council, indicates that total cases climb to approximately 102 million when factoring in self-reported cases. Estimates present a wide margin of uncertainty, ranging from 27 to 91 million and from 65 to 218 million respectively. The report also highlights a significant gap in epidemiological data collection, with only 41 countries and territories out of over 220 possessing studies on the prevalence of the disease in the general population. In Italy, the chronic inflammatory skin condition affects roughly 1.4 million individuals, with source estimates also noting approximately 2 million affected. Ahead of World Psoriasis Day, patient associations and medical societies presented new real-world data at the Chamber of Deputies in Rome, highlighting that over 137,000 Italians with the condition lack adequate economic protection for necessary medical monitoring and care.
RADAR-Psoriasi Project Reveals Severe Care Gaps
The RADAR-Psoriasi project, carried out by CliCon through an analysis of administrative data from local health authorities covering six million residents, shows that roughly 137,000 patients treated with systemic therapies—including biologics—currently operate without formal exemption protections. Valeria Corazza, president of APIAFCO, stated during the Rome presentation that exemption code 045 remains unavailable to individuals suffering from moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Corazza noted that extending this exemption code would carry an estimated economic impact of between 6.3 and 9.9 million euros annually for Italy’s National Health Service. Currently, the exemption is restricted to rare variants like severe pustular and erythrodermic psoriasis, alongside psoriatic arthritis, leaving only about 9% of total Italian psoriasis patients covered, broken down further among non-exempt patients as 3% treated with biologics and 7% with non-biologic systemic treatments.
Comorbidities and Public Healthcare Strain
Psoriasis patients face significant clinical complexities, including a statistically significant prevalence of cardiometabolic, autoimmune, renal, hepatic, infectious, and oncologic comorbid conditions. Marco Romanelli, member of the Consiglio direttivo of SIDeMaST, reported that these associated conditions elevate mortality risk by 1.1 times compared to the general population. Cuccia emphasized that public healthcare facilities struggle to maintain adequate care pathways, proposing new competitions in hospitals with the greatest staff shortages and closer educational integration between universities and hospital structures to attract and retain young specialists in the public service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is exemption code 045 and who qualifies for it in Italy?
Exemption code 045 is a National Health Service provision that waives costs for medical examinations and monitoring related to specific chronic conditions. The code currently applies to rare variants like severe pustular psoriasis, erythrodermic psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis, but excludes moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.
Which organizations published the Global Psoriasis Atlas estimates?
The Global Psoriasis Atlas is a collaborative international project promoted by IFPA, the International League of Dermatological Societies, and the International Psoriasis Council.
How many Italian patients receive systemic treatments without exemption support?
Data from the RADAR-Psoriasi project indicate that approximately 137,000 Italian patients treated with systemic and biologic therapies do not possess exemption code 045.
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