Chronicity, multifactoriality and the ‘visibility of the disease’ on the skin: among the main factors that make psoriasis a pathology with a heavy psychological impact, still too often neglected. To bring attention to this inflammatory skin disease, “non-contagious, autoimmune, genetic and relapse”, are the experts of Consulcesi who on the occasion of the World Psoriasis Day, which is celebrated on October 29, through the new training course “Shared diagnostic-therapeutic paths for the patient with psoriasis” reaffirm the importance of improving the quality of life of those affected through a multidisciplinary approach and strategies aimed at greater adherence to treatments. According to the latest data collected – reads a Consulcesi note – in the world there are about 60 million people suffering from psoriasis, of which about 1.4 million in Italy alone. Of these, according to the IFPA (International Federation of Psoriatic Disease Associations), a quarter show signs of depression, and 48% have anxiety disorders. These numbers are particularly worrying, especially if we consider that these “largely underestimate the problem” as the IFPA also specifies, since they come from only 19% of the countries that today collect epidemiological data on psoriasis. “A pathology with which it is difficult to live with because, in addition to being characterized by annoying symptoms (from joint pain and skin itching) does not heal and, if not treated properly, tends to recur in even worse forms” explains Paolo Misericordia, surgeon specialized in Endocrinology and head of the Fimmg Study Center and ICT area, as well as among the professors of the Ecm course of Consulcesi who joins the Ifpa appeal by inviting people to recognize “mental health as a significant part of life with psoriatic disease”. Factors such as stress, in fact, can greatly contribute to the exacerbation of the disease. “Stressful events – again Mercy – can be responsible for the onset of the disease and / or trigger new skin reactions. In turn, the physical symptoms are both physically and emotionally stressful and can lead to sleep deprivation, fatigue and negative effects on psychological well-being ”. The result? A first global survey on the topic of happiness in people with psoriasis reported that 54% of respondents experience an above-average level of stress and anxiety, writes the Ifpa. Although today thanks to new therapies, local and systemic drugs, it is possible to ‘extinguish’ almost all forms of the disease, as the experts also underline, “still too many cases are ‘dragged’ over time, from specialist to specialist, before achieve an almost optimal management of the condition “. Among the main causes, in addition to the multifactoriality that characterizes the pathology and which materializes in the onset of other comorbidities, there is often a poor compliance with care and a collaboration to improve between family doctors and specialists that should be aimed at synergy more effective for disease follow-up. “We know that the lack of general practitioners means that those present have in charge a number of patients well above the ideal levels to be able to devote due attention to all – underlines Misericordia – but today, also thanks to telemedicine, the various specialists involved in the management of the patient suffering from psoriasis they can collaborate much more profitably, considerably improving the quality of life of these patients ”. Alongside the sharing of medical records, therapies and images of skin manifestations, the experts then suggest a sharing of strategy between professionals, “from the rheumatologist to the dermatologist, passing through the psychologist and the nutritionist”, for “an integrated and multidisciplinary approach that does not neglect the mental well-being of the patient and put this in a position to live the chronic pathology as serenely as possible “, concludes Misericordia, introducing the course available until 31 December, the deadline for obtaining the compulsory ECM training credits provided for all white coats.