Improve physical and mental health for people with psoriasis

World Psoriasis Day 2025 (October 29) with the theme "Psoriasis and comorbidities - Understanding the "Domino effect"" emphasizes the importance of early and proper treatment, combined with screening for comorbidities and maintaining a healthy lifestyle to improve physical and mental health for patients.

Master, Doctor Nguyen Thi Mai Huong - Department of Daytime Inpatient Treatment, Central Dermatology Hospital examines a patient.

High risk of comorbidities in people with psoriasis

Master, Doctor Nguyen Thi Mai Huong - Department of Daytime Inpatient Treatment, Central Dermatology Hospital said that psoriasis is a chronic skin inflammation, not only causing damage to the skin but also a sign of a systemic inflammatory condition in the body. Therefore, people with psoriasis have a high risk of other comorbidities, seriously affecting their overall health and quality of life.

The pathogenesis of psoriasis is related to overactivity of the immune system, causing a chronic inflammatory response affecting many different organs. This is the important link linking psoriasis with comorbidities.

If concomitant diseases are not well controlled, psoriasis will worsen, the risk of complications will be higher, treatment effectiveness will be reduced and the patient's psychology will be affected. Therefore, comprehensive management of psoriasis means good control of comorbid diseases.

According to Dr. Luong, cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome are the most common and dangerous comorbidities in psoriasis patients. Chronic inflammation in psoriasis can affect blood vessels and the heart, increasing the risk of high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes, and obesity.

The combination of these factors is called metabolic syndrome, which significantly increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Psoriatic arthritis occurs in about 30% of psoriasis patients; it causes pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints, and can lead to permanent joint damage and deformity if not diagnosed and treated early.

Patients may experience mental health problems. Living with a chronic, visible skin condition such as psoriasis often causes a heavy psychological burden. Patients are more likely to face depression and anxiety, stress, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Effective management of psoriasis and comorbidities requires a comprehensive approach, and close collaboration between the patient and the healthcare team.

Accordingly, patients need to screen and monitor their health regularly, build a scientific and healthy lifestyle, have a balanced diet, maintain a reasonable weight, exercise regularly, stop smoking and limit alcohol: These are factors that can trigger or aggravate psoriasis and co-morbidities.

Good control of psoriasis inflammation with topical, systemic, or biologic treatments may help reduce the risk of comorbidities.

Treating psoriasis with biological drugs

Master, Doctor Dang Thi Luong, Department of Daytime Inpatient Treatment, Central Dermatology Hospital said, thanks to medical advances, in addition to traditional topical and oral medications, biological drugs have become a new, effective choice for many psoriasis patients.

Biologics are monoclonal antibodies that are proteins in nature and specifically and directly affect immune system factors – the “culprits” that cause psoriasis. Unlike conventional drugs, biologics specifically target abnormal “signals” in the immune system, thereby helping to reduce inflammation and significantly improve skin damage.

Some commonly used biological drugs in psoriasis include: TNF-α inhibitors (such as adalimumab, etanercept); IL-12/23 inhibitors, IL 23 inhibitors (such as ustekinumab, guselkumab); IL-17 inhibitors (secukinumab).

According to doctors, not all patients need to be treated with biological drugs. Usually, doctors will consider and prescribe use in the following cases: Moderate-severe psoriasis; the disease does not respond or is intolerant to other treatments such as topical medications, phototherapy or traditional systemic medications; psoriasis greatly affects daily life; psoriasis with joint damage can be considered for early use to avoid complications of destruction and permanent joint deformity.

Biological drugs help to quickly reduce skin lesions: Reduce red patches, white scales and itching; quickly reduce symptoms of joint pain and swelling. Many patients achieve almost “clean” skin after a few months of treatment. The effect is maintained for a long time if the treatment regimen is followed regularly.

This treatment helps improve quality of life, patients are more confident in daily life and work.

Biologic drugs are thoroughly researched and proven safe, however, doctors warn that they can still cause some side effects such as: Increased risk of infection (flu, pneumonia, latent tuberculosis); pain at the injection site, headache, fatigue; rarely: immune disorders or effects on the liver and kidneys.

Therefore, before starting treatment, patients need to be carefully screened (blood test, screening for tuberculosis, hepatitis, HIV, etc.). During the course of taking the drug, regular check-ups are needed so that the doctor can monitor the effectiveness and control side effects.

Treating psoriasis with biological drugs is a major step forward in medicine, bringing outstanding results to many patients. The use of drugs must be prescribed by a dermatologist, closely monitored and combined with a healthy lifestyle to control the disease.

Free examination for psoriasis patients

From October 27-31, 2025, the Central Dermatology Hospital will conduct free examinations for psoriasis patients at the Psoriasis Clinic, Department of Daytime Inpatient Treatment. This is an opportunity for patients to have the opportunity to be examined by specialists, receive treatment advice as well as be directed to screen for comorbidities in the spirit of "preventing the domino effect", helping patients receive comprehensive care and attention.

THIEN LAMB

Source: https://nhandan.vn/nang-cao-suc-khoe-the-chat-lan-tinh-than-cho-nguoi-benh-vay-nen-post916701.html