Tests and terminology in psoriasis: Tests and terminology in psoriasis

when a patient follows their advised treatment programme

a topical treatment prescribed for the management of mild to moderate psoriasis

a protein produced by immune system cells that binds to antigens on foreign particles/bodies allowing other elements of the immune system to attack, destroy or remove them

the ‘fingerprint’ detected by the immune system that is found on every potentially harmful organism that enters the body.

drugs made from natural proteins using biotechnology

use of recombinant DNA, cell fusion, and new bioprocessing techniques applied to research and product development.

Body Surface Area is used to work out how much of the body may be affected by psoriasis.  A simple calculation is the palm of the hand (excluding fingers and wrist) is equivalent to 1% of the total body surface. 

an organism that contains all the genetic information required to make a life form

The Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index is a questionnaire which is self explanatory and measures the impact that a skin disease has on a child’s life.  The patient (child) if able can self complete the questionnaire or with the assistance of their parent or guardian if necessary.

investigational studies of new treatments, new uses of existing treatment, or new screening methods to detect disease

coal tar solution is added to bath water for great coverage and penetration, used to treat the scaling, inflammation and itching of psoriasis and other skin disorders

much the same as adherence - whether a patient carries out what they are advised

a prescription drug that decreases the body's immune response, used in the treatment of psoriasis

messengers that carry biochemical signals to regulate local and systemic immune responses, inflammatory reactions, wound healing, formation of blood cells, and any other biological processes. In psoriasis, cytokines carry messages that promote overly rapid development of skin cells.

the deep layer of skin

Dermatology Quality of Life Index is a simple self administered and user friendly validated questionnaire.  It is designed to measure the health related quality of life of an adult patient suffering from a skin disease.   You can download versions of this questionnaire from Cardiff University

an agent that soothes and softens the skin; also known as a moisturiser

the outer layer of skin

an abnormal reddening, flaking and thickening of the skin, affecting a wide area of the body

intense scaling and inflammation of the skin

psoriasis characterised by severe redness, scaling and shedding of the skin

removing dead cells from the skin’s surface

the areas where the limbs bend, bringing together two surfaces, for example, the front of the elbows and the back of the knees.

 the material that forms the biologic code for all life forms

a term used to describe small, dot-like lesions on the skin that are shaped like drops of water

psoriasis characterised by red, drop-like dots on the skin

cells that travel through the blood looking for antigens, when one is encountered they trigger other immune cells to attack

immune system markers strongly associated with the causes of psoriasis.

the biochemical complex that protects the body against infections and other foreign bodies that lead to illness

drugs that alter the function of the immune system

the invasion of the body by microorganisms that reproduce and multiply, causing disease

reaction by tissue, for example skin, in response to infection or injury, usually involving reddening and swelling

the process by which a volunteer for a clinical trial agrees to participate after being fully informed regarding purposes of the trial, risks and benefits associated with participation in the trial, and whether volunteers will be randomised to receive treatment or placebo

psoriasis characterised by smooth, inflamed lesions in body folds.

can be present with psoriasis as psoriatic arthritis.

a type of skin cell making up over 95% of the epidermis, accelerated growth of these cells leads to the development of psoriasis lesions

an agent that promotes the shedding of the epidermis at regular intervals

cells in the immune system that actively target and destroy cells perceived as foreign

psoriatic lesions that appear at the site of injury, infection or other skin problem.

a type of white blood cell (involved in the immune system)

a wound or injury to the skin, for example, a patch of skin affected by psoriasis

The Lattice System Physician’s Global Assessment is a segmented scoring system where the body surface area (BSA) measurement is used i.e. one palm equals 1% body surface for small amounts of psoriasis but as the areas increase a larger area is identified such as quarter of the body, half of the body with clear indication of skin elevation, redness and severity of scaly skin.

cells that destroy foreign antigens and initiate T-cell formation, also called an ‘antigen-presenting cell’

an agent prescribed for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis

antibodies created with biotechnology techniques in laboratories that are highly specific and ‘recognise’ and target only one molecule, such as a receptor, or antigen.

incapable of being transmitted from person to person.

this is where the nail becomes detached from the underlying nail bed and a gap develops under the nail.When it starts there is a white or yellowish patch at the tip of the nail, and this then extends down to the cuticle.

Over the Counter (treatments available with no prescription)

The Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) is a score used by doctors and nurses to record psoriasis severity. It is widely used to assess the progress of people receiving treatment for psoriasis, particularly in research trials. PASI has become the most widely used measure of psoriasis severity internationally. It does not examine arthritis for which other scores are available. Read more

the process by which psoriatic skin cells continuously form and move upward to the skin surface faster than they can be incorporated into the skin, resulting in them scaling off

ointments in which powder is suspended

Primary Care Group

Primary Care Trust

Psoriasis Disability Index

The Psoriasis Epidemiology Screening Tool is used as a method of assessing a patient with psoriasis for referral to a rheumatologist.  There are five simple yes/no questions about swollen joints and heel pain.  When three or more ‘yes’ answers are given that should initiate the referral process.

Physician’s Global Assessment is a 5-6 point scoring system that is used to assess disease severity and is believed to be a useful quick intuitive system for General Physicians.

when light therapy and drug therapy are used in combination

treatment with artificial ultraviolet light

an inactive drug with no medicinal value, used as method of ‘control’ in clinical trials

a flattish, raised, scaly patch on the skin more than 2 cm across and formed by psoriasis

psoriasis characterised by red, silvery-white, scaly skin lesions, accounting for about 80 percent of all cases

Prescription Only Medication

The Psoriasis Symptom Inventory, is a scoring system which is shown to be reliable and discriminative by enabling patients to score the severity of their own psoriasis.  In clinical trials it has correlated well with the PASI (Psoriasis Area Severity Index) scoring system used by doctors.

a persistent skin disease in which the skin becomes inflamed, producing red, thickened areas with silvery scales, most often on the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back

a genetically driven autoimmune disease affecting large and small joints that occurs in less than 10 percent of psoriasis patients

 psoriasis characterised by pus-like blisters on the skin usually occurring on the hands or feet

pus-filled lesions and intense scaling.

 Psoralen and UV-A Treatment

a quality-adjusted life-year, a calculation which takes into account both quantity and the quality of life generated by healthcare interventions.

structures on the surface of cells that serve as docking sites for other cells to relay information or trigger a reaction

the period during which the symptoms of a disease decrease or subside

vitamin A derivatives used in the prevention and treatment of various skin problems.

Self-Administered PASI is using a version of Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) by the patient who assesses their own psoriasis in a similar way as a physician would examine them and complete the scoring process.  In studies SAPASI assessment by patient compares very well with the PASI administered by the doctor therefore the SAPASI is a very useful tool for the assessment of psoriasis.

thin flakes on the skin surface

a combination of a powder and liquid that must be shaken before being applied to the skin

The static Physician Global Assessment, is used by doctors  to assess the psoriasis based on the following three signs:  severity of induration (thickness), scaling, and erythema (redness). The sPGA is a scale from 0 to 5 where 0 indicates clear and 5 indicates severe disease.

The static Physician's Global Assessment of Genitalia is used to assess psoriasis of the genital area.  Mainly the redness (erythema) is recorded and then used to determine severity and clinical outcome following treatment.

Salford Psoriasis Index (developed at the University of Manchester) is a scoring system for psoriasis to simply measure the current extent, psychosocial disability and past severity of the disease. A better understanding of an individual’s experience and needs is the intention of this scoring system.

an abbreviated word for corticosteroids, which are powerful drugs used to control inflammation and itching of the skin. Very often this is shortened to ‘steroids’ causing people to confuse their skin treatments with the anabolic steroids used for body-building

beneath the skin

referring to the body as a whole

drugs that affect the whole body.

cells that either initiate the immune response (helper T-cells) or actively target and destroy cells perceived as foreign (killer T-cells)

molecules on the surface of T-cells that are the sites for macrophages to ‘pre- sent’ antigens to the T-cell and trigger an immune response

a type of white blood cell within the immune system

treatments that are applied to the skin rather than being taken internally

an environmental factor that acts together with genetic predisposition to cause the onset or worsening of psoriasis

a protein in the body involved in inflammatory processes that also damages tissue in and around the joints of people with psoriatic arthritis.

the part of light that can be used to treat psoriasis but can also cause sunburn.

Ultraviolet light with wavelengths ranging from 320 to 400 nm

Ultraviolet light with wavelengths ranging from 290 to 320 nm

calcipotriol, calcitriol and tacalcitol, should not be confused with vitamin tablets or liquids that you may take as dietary supplements. Whilst their chemical structure may be based on a vitamin D3 molecule they have been modified to have a completely different effect.

is latin for common and used for the most widespread plaque version, called psoriasis vulgaris.

to come and go, often how psoriasis patients decribe an acute flare or relapse.

are the cells of the immune system that defend the body against infectious diseases

this is where the nail becomes detached from the underlying nail bed and a gap develops under the nail.When it starts there is a white or yellowish patch at the tip of the nail, and this then extends down to the cuticle.

topical vitamin D treatment