Editorial

Editorial Psoriasis is a common, chronic, disfiguring skin disease with worldwide prevalence. Therapeutic options remain limited and none are curative. Fortunately, considerable progress has recently been made in our understanding of its pathogenesis. The localization of several suscept- ibility gene loci are known and investigators are close to the identification of the major genetic determinant on chromosome 6. More is known of the pathogenic T-cell subsets thought to drive the disease process. Psoriatic arthritis, which accompanies skin changes in approxi- mately 5% of cases, is also being actively investigated and much is now known of its pathogenesis. It is hoped that advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis will lead to the development of new treatments. At present, the psychological impact of the disease is considerable and validated measures have been produced to help us measure this impact and design support measures for patients. New ways of using established treatments are needed to increase clinical efficacy and decrease toxicity while we wait for new treatments. The loss of dermatological beds across most countries in Western Europe is having a dramatic effect on how we treat psoriasis, requiring, for example, the optimization of the use of phototherapy and outpatient day treatment centres. It is important that clinical dermatologists are aware of the advances in psoriasis knowledge. In this third issue of the clinical review series published simulta- neously by Clinical and Experimental Dermatology and H 1 G Zeitschrift fu Èr Hautkrankheiten), and the first of 2001, we are focusing on psoriasis, its many clinical forms, its pathogenic basis and its management. Our contributors are all world-leading experts and their articles reflect areas of great importance in psoriasis study. The Editorial Board hopes you find this issue informative and enjoyable. Jonathan Barker Clinical and Experimental Dermatology Thomas Krieg H1G Zeitschrift fu Èr Hautkrankheiten q 2001 Blackwell Science Ltd X Clinical and Experimental Dermatology , 28, 313 313 Editorial

Editorial

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