A new, once-a-day oral pill for people living with severe chronic plaque psoriasis is now available for eligible patients via the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). This represents great news for the estimated 19,000 Australian adults living with this common, inflammatory skin disease.
Providing timely and tailored treatment of psoriasis has become a major public health priority, with recent research highlighting the growing global burden of the disease over the past 30 years.
According to Clinical Associate Professor and Staff Specialist at Royal North Shore Hospital, Stephen Shumack, OAM, Sydney, the reimbursement of a new treatment represents a positive step forward for Australian adults living with chronic severe plaque psoriasis. Importantly, this provides more treatment options for those for whom topical treatments (lotions and skin creams) have proven ineffective.
“Psoriasis is a long-term, inflammatory disease in which an overgrowth of skin cells can be triggered by environmental, lifestyle, or medical stressors.
“Chronic plaque psoriasis accounts for approximately nine in 10 (90 per cent) of all psoriasis cases. The disease features red, violet, or grey raised plaques,” explained A/Prof Shumack.
Living with severe chronic plaque psoriasis can put those affected at heightened risk of other health problems, including disorders affecting the heart and blood vessels. The associated stigma, shame and difficulty sleeping can further compromise the person’s mental health. Concerningly, more than five per cent of those living with the most severe form of the disease also exhibit depression or suicidal thoughts.
Specialist dermatologist and founder at Southern Dermatology, Dr Ryan De Cruz, Melbourne, said “severe chronic plaque psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune, disabling skin condition, that can impact all aspects of your life.
“We know patients who suffer from psoriasis often feel very isolated, they’re unable to wear the clothing they want to wear, they feel itchy, uncomfortable, and it can affect their relationships and their work,” Dr De Cruz said.
Given symptoms can flare and subside over time, treating psoriasis usually requires long-term, sometimes life-long management, which can be expensive.
Dermatologist and founder, Chroma Dermatology, Dr Michelle Rodrigues, Melbourne, said “The availability of an additional, reimbursed treatment for adults living with severe chronic plaque psoriasis may help to reduce the physical, mental, and financial toll of the disease.
“As clinicians, we welcome the listing of SOTYKTU® – a medicine (tablet) for Australians who may not have achieved relief from symptoms with topical [applied to the skin] or other available oral [taken by mouth] medicines, to date.”
Hair-and-makeup artist, Emma, 44, Sydney, has been living with severe chronic plaque psoriasis for more than 25 years. She first noticed “dry, red, flaky patches of skin” all over her back, at 17 years of age.
Emma visited her GP and was subsequently diagnosed with plaque psoriasis. Within 10 days of her diagnosis, Emma’s body was “covered in skin plaques” that spread from her upper to lower back, to her stomach, and down her legs and arms.
“I end up shedding skin plaques all over my clothes and people who I meet,” Emma said.
Award-winning singer-songwriter, Brian, 57, Melbourne, has been plagued by severe chronic plaque psoriasis for more than 30 years.
“I no longer wanted to be a social butterfly and began to isolate myself.
“I felt heavily rejected, especially by adults when they passed judgment on me. So, I chose to be self-employed, to avoid working with psoriasis in an office setting, or having to be constantly surrounded by people,” said Brian.
After eventually finding a treatment that worked for him, Brian shed substantial weight, which helped to improve both his physical and mental wellbeing.
“When my psoriasis started to clear, I started walking a lot, and lost 25kg. I started to respect my body again and felt inspired to improve my physical and mental health and wellbeing.”
Professional photographer and environmentalist, Guy, 69, Central Victoria, has a strong family history of the disease, and has been personally wrestling with it for more than 30 years.
Managing his psoriasis proves extremely time-consuming.
“I’ve evaded certain circumstances, and situations, and have spent hours applying topical treatments to most of my body,” Guy said.
“Living with psoriasis is not a one-size-fits all. Different people require access to tailored treatments that best suit them.”
Former elite sportsman and father-to-two, Lester, 67, Gold Coast, says severe chronic plaque psoriasis significantly compromised his life for more than two decades, and particularly affected his personal relationships.
“I was so restricted by my disease, I no longer wanted physical contact with my wife. I didn’t want her to touch me.
“I also missed out on so many activities with my kids – sporting events, school events, and even family holidays. I insisted that my wife took our kids to places, rather than me,” said Lester.
“I encourage others living with severe chronic plaque psoriasis to continue to seek help, because eventually they too, will find a treatment that works for them.”
To learn more about severe chronic plaque psoriasis, watch our pieces to camera featuring A/Prof Shumack, Dr De Cruz, Emma, and Brian, below!
https://vimeo.com/855249643/b54b6d8868?share=copy – Dr Stephen Shumack’s piece to camera
https://vimeo.com/865060819/db3777cdd9?share=copy – Dr Ryan De Cruz’s piece to camera
https://vimeo.com/865060810?share=copy – Emma’s piece to camera
https://vimeo.com/865060810?share=copy – Brian’s piece to camera