Rethinking Treatment Goals in Psoriasis: Leveraging IL-17 Inhibitors to Move Beyond Skin Clearance Toward PsA Prevention - Episode 11
Balancing Benefits and Risks of Early Systemic Therapy in Psoriasis
In this episode, the panelists explore how to balance the benefits and risks of initiating systemic therapy early in patients with psoriasis who do not yet have joint involvement. The experts discuss that starting treatment is more straightforward in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, where strong clinical data support systemic use. However, the decision becomes more nuanced for those with limited disease. In such cases, factors like lesion location (nail, scalp, or other special sites), previous treatment failures, and patient motivation play an important role. The panel emphasizes the importance of shared decision-making, considering both the clinical picture and patient preferences. They note that even in mild cases, residual skin inflammation reflects ongoing systemic activity, and early therapy may still provide long-term benefits. The experts conclude that treatment should address both disease burden and patient quality of life, while maintaining a risk–benefit balance.
In this episode, the panelists explore how to balance the benefits and risks of initiating systemic therapy early in patients with psoriasis who do not yet have joint involvement. The experts discuss that starting treatment is more straightforward in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, where strong clinical data support systemic use. However, the decision becomes more nuanced for those with limited disease. In such cases, factors like lesion location (nail, scalp, or other special sites), previous treatment failures, and patient motivation play an important role. The panel emphasizes the importance of shared decision-making, considering both the clinical picture and patient preferences. They note that even in mild cases, residual skin inflammation reflects ongoing systemic activity, and early therapy may still provide long-term benefits. The experts conclude that treatment should address both disease burden and patient quality of life, while maintaining a risk–benefit balance.
