A SIGNIFICANT number of psoriasis sufferers in Ireland are not getting treatments which would improve their physical health and psychological wellbeing, according to a dermatologist who works in one of the main treatment centres in the State.
Dr Brian Kirby, a consultant dermatologist at St Vincent’s hospital in Dublin, said that while effective treatments were available, “there is a large unmet need – there are a lot of people with bad psoriasis who suffer in silence”.
He said there was still a shortage of dermatologists – there are 24 working in the public health system but a Comhairle na nOspidéal report in 2003 had said that 38 were needed.
“In some centres there are significant problems with waiting lists where people are waiting years rather than months to be seen,” Dr Kirby said.
He added, however, that people with severe psoriasis, where the condition was “life-destroying”, would not have to wait.
Dr Kirby was speaking yesterday after the launch of a psoriasis awareness campaign when the Psoriasis Association of Ireland unveiled two new patient information booklets. The booklets, which were developed by the association with the help of an educational grant from pharmaceutical company Wyeth, aim to inform people about the condition, treatments available and tips for living with psoriasis.
Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease which results in red, scaly lesions on the skin. It is non-contagious and non-curable and it is estimated that 2-3 per cent of the population is affected.
The campaign launch was attended by an American model, CariDee English, who has suffered from severe psoriasis from the age of five, with up to 70 per cent of her body covered in lesions. She said she wanted to let people know that effective treatments were available that enabled her to pursue her dream of a modelling career.
Dr Kirby said the physical and psychological effects could be very debilitating. The physical symptoms include itchy, painful skin, tiredness and, in severe cases, sufferers can be more prone to infections. It has also been shown that the condition can affect people’s quality of life, self-esteem and personal relationships.
www.psoriasisireland.ie