Authors' objectives:

To summarise the current research evidence on new treatments for psoriasis.

Authors' recommendations: - Clinical impact: Although not necessarily a clinical priority area, moderate to severe psoriasis is often associated with significantly reduced quality of life. Treatments that can reduce the overall morbidity may therefore diffuse quickly. Service impact: The requirement for subcutaneous or intramuscular administration of these compounds will have some effect on service provision, although self-administration may reduce the need for regular health professional involvement. The potentially serious adverse effects, including opportunistic infections, mean that patient selection and monitoring of effect will be important. - Additional factors: It is likely that patients badly affected by psoriasis will welcome this additional treatment. - Financial and overall NHS impact: Due to the large patient group and the nature of these pharmaceutical agents the drug cost to the NHS may be significant. It is uncertain how long treatment will need to be continued for, but courses may be prolonged.

Authors' methods: Overview

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2002

URL for published report: http://www.hsric.nihr.ac.uk/search

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England, United Kingdom

Organisation Name: NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre

Contact Address: The NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre, Department of Public Health, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics, School of Health and Population Sciences, University of Birmingham, 90 Vincent Drive, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2SP. United Kingdom. Tel: +44 121 414 7831, Fax: +44 121 2269

Contact Name: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Contact Email: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Copyright: National Horizon Scanning Centre (NHSC)