ROME (ITALPRESS) – The institutional event “Diagnostic Therapeutic Care Pathway of the Patient with Psoriasis and Atopic Dermatitis” organized by Cencora Pharmalex under the patronage of the Italian Society of Dermatology and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (SIDeMaST) concluded in Rome, Italian Society of General Medicine and Primary Care (SIMG), National Association of Atopic Dermatitis (ANDeA), Associazione Psoriasici Italiani Amici della Fondazione Corazza (APIAFCO) and realized with the unconditional contribution of Abbvie Italia.
On this occasion, institutional referents, clinicians, and associations presented the document describing the diagnostic therapeutic care pathway (PDTA) for the care of the patient with psoriasis or atopic dermatitis developed by the SIDeMaST Working Group and elaborated and published by CREA Sanità.
Psoriasis and atopic dermatitis are inflammatory skin diseases. The former manifests as erythematous papules and plaques covered with silvery scales. It has a multifactorial origin, related to genetic predisposition and triggers such as trauma, infection and medications. It is characterized by hyperproliferation of keratinocytes and inflammation of the skin. Prevalence varies globally, with estimates from 0.2-1.4% in children and 0.5-11.4% in adults. In Italy, it affects about 2.8% of the population-about 1,500,000 people-with a higher incidence among men. The most common age of onset is between 16-22 years and 57-60 years, but it can occur at any age.
Atopic dermatitis, on the other hand, is characterized by intense itching and recurrent eczematous lesions. According to WHO, it is the most common skin condition in terms of disability. Prevalence has increased in recent years, affecting 10-25% of children and 2-8% of adults in developed countries. In Italy, the incidence among adults is 8.1%, the highest in Europe. About 10% of patients require systemic therapy. Family history of atopy is the main risk factor: an affected parent has a 50-80% chance of transmitting the predisposition to their children.
These diseases, although different in their clinical manifestations, share a strong impact on patients’ quality of life and require an integrated, multidisciplinary approach. Explains Paolo Gisondi, SIDeMaST Councilor and Associate Professor of Dermatology and Venerology at the University of Verona: “Psoriasis and atopic dermatitis are dermatological inflammatory diseases with a chronic-recurrent course associated with a wide spectrum of comorbidities. Their chronic nature makes it necessary to adopt constant control measures, with patient care from diagnosis to follow-up for therapy management, with dedicated PDTAs and multidimensional and multidisciplinary interventions. Starting from this awareness,” he adds, “as SIDeMaST, we have developed a PDTA proposal that identifies the minimum standard requirements, both technological and personnel, for outpatient facilities involved in the management of these diseases, in order to ensure uniformity and quality in care.
The initiative stems from the need to bridge territorial inequalities in access to treatment and to improve patient care. The document proposes an organizational model that fosters collaboration between dermatologists, general practitioners, rheumatologists, psychologists and other specialists involved, with the aim of: promoting uniformity of behavior, throughout the country, of the professionals involved in the process of diagnosis and treatment of patients with psoriasis and atopic dermatitis; and ensuring appropriate care and treatment pathways for the patient.
“An integrated approach such as the one proposed by the PDTA descriptive document is essential to improve the quality of life of patients with atopic dermatitis: only through a network of collaboration among specialists and a clear definition of clinical pathways can the patient be effectively oriented toward a care pathway guaranteeing timely treatment and continuous follow-up,” says Mario Coccioli, president of the National Association of Atopic Dermatitis Onlus (ANDeA).”
“Our hope is that ministerial decision-makers will share what is described in this document and take a careful stance in recognizing and guaranteeing the rights of people with psoriasis and atopic dermatitis by recognizing their chronicity and updating the LEAs so as to give these two diseases the dignity they deserve,” added Valeria Corazza, President of the Association of Psoriatic Italian Friends of the Corazza Foundation (APIAFCO).
As stipulated in the National Chronicity Plan (NCP), care must be multidimensional and multiprofessional, involving psycho-physical, social, and disability-related aspects.
“Both atopic dermatitis and psoriasis are diseases that accompany sufferers throughout their lives, affecting both the clinical picture and the quality of daily life. Precisely because of this decisive impact, it is necessary for institutions to recognize, even at the regulatory level, the chronicity of these diseases, to facilitate this support,” says Guido Quintino Liris, 5th Committee on Economic Planning, Budget, Senate of the Republic; Intergroup Coordinator Prevention and Taking Care of Chronic Conditions.
“Psoriasis and atopic dermatitis are chronic diseases that affect millions of Italians, with a significant impact on their quality of life and on the health care system,” says Daniela Sbrollini, Vice-President 10th Commission on Social Affairs, Health, Public and Private Labor, and Social Security of the Senate of the Republic and Coordinator of the Parliamentary Intergroup on Dermatological Diseases and Skin Health. “It is essential to recognize their complexity, not only from a clinical but also from a social point of view, and to ensure equitable access to timely diagnosis and effective therapies. That is why last October 29 we asked the government, with a motion, for a concrete commitment to include psoriasis in the National Plan for Chronic Diseases, strengthen care pathways and promote awareness campaigns. Only through an integrated and multidisciplinary approach is it possible to offer patients adequate support and improve their daily lives.”
– Pharmalex press office photo –
(ITALPRESS).
