Psoriasis in Women

According to Habashy and Robles (2022), psoriasis is an inflammatory, multifactorial, complex, and chronic disease that entails hyper-proliferation of the keratinocytes in the human epidermis and is characterized by an increase in the human epidermal cell turnover rate. Gardner (2022) explained that psoriasis is a skin disorder that leads to the skin cell multiplying ten times faster than normal. He further explained that this leads to bumpy red patches sheltered under white scales on the skin, especially on the elbows, lower back, knees, and scalp. Habashy and Robles (2022) noted that its main causal agents include environmental, immunologic, and genetic factors, with approximately 30% of the patients affected in the joints. Based on their analysis, Habashy and Robles (2022) provided that the psoriasis treatment is centered on the body sites affected, the plaques and scale thickness, the absence or presence of arthritis, and the apparent areas of involvement. Papp et al. (2019) demonstrated that moderate to severe psoriasis treatment options include biologic therapy, prescription of oral systemic agents, and phototherapy. Based on their study, the first line of treatment for psoriasis patients is Secukinumab, a complete human monoclonal antibody that primarily targets the IL-17A.   

Review of topic and rationale for selection of topic

The disease is common in childhood and early adulthood and appears as inverse psoriasis, erythrodermic psoriasis, guttate psoriasis, and pustular psoriasis (Gardner, 2022). According to the World Psoriasis Day Consortium, more than 125 million people worldwide suffer from moderate to severe psoriasis (National Psoriasis Foundation, n.d.). Papp et al. (2019) posited that scholars have extensively studied the physical effects of psoriasis with frequency; however, there exists a gap, primarily in observational studies, examining the lived experiences of patients with the disease or practical solutions to evaluate the individuals’ adaption to psoriasis.