Scalp Psoriasis and Biologic Agents: A Review

Ilias Papadimitriou; Katerina Bakirtzi; Alexander Katoulis; Dimitrios Ioannides

doi:10.1159/000517806

Scalp Psoriasis and Biologic Agents: A Review

Skin Appendage Disord. 2021 Nov;7(6):439-448. doi: 10.1159/000517806. Epub 2021 Aug 3.

Authors

Ilias Papadimitriou¹, Katerina Bakirtzi¹, Alexander Katoulis², Dimitrios Ioannides¹

Affiliations

¹ First Dermatology and Venereology Department, School of Medicine Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece.
² Second Department of Dermatology and Venereology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, "Attikon" University Hospital, Athens, Greece.

Abstract

Scalp-localized psoriasis is common among patients affected with plaque psoriasis, rendering its treatment exceedingly difficult. Furthermore, the symptoms caused by the disease like scaling, erythema, and pruritus, among others, pose a major psychological impact and a significant regression in the quality of life of the affected patients. Biologics have proved their efficacy in assuaging the symptoms, in terms of Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) reduction, and offering optimum quality of life, by decreasing the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) in the patients suffering from plaque psoriasis. Herein, we sought to evaluate the efficacy of biologics and small molecules in controlling the symptoms and their ability to offer long-term maintenance in the disease activity.

Keywords: Biologics; Psoriasis; Review; Scalp psoriasis; Small molecules.

Publication types

Review