Over 40 Million Psoriasis Sufferers by 2022 – and No Cure Yet

Wednesday 10 April 2013, Amsterdam

Psoriasis has a complex collection of risk factors, such as genetics, lifestyle choices, and exposure to certain environmental conditions, states a new report.

According to the report, there were approximately 36.5 million prevalent cases of psoriasis across all the US, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, Japan, China, and India in 2012. By 2022,  epidemiologists forecast that this figure will reach approximately 40.93 million prevalent cases, following a 12.1% increase based on projected population growth - prevalence proportions are expected to remain constant.


Psoriasis is an immune-mediated chronic dermatological disorder characterized by redness and irritation. The condition affects individuals of both sexes and all ethnicities and ages, although there is a higher prevalence of psoriasis in the colder, northern regions of the world. The age-standardized prevalence of psoriasis varies among different countries, from as low as 0.03% in Japan to as high as 1.84% in Germany. These regional differences may be attributable to variations in environmental factors such as the weather, as well as genetic factors, and differences in data collection across different countries.

The  prevalence  of  psoriasis  in  the  central  region  of  Italy  is  2.8  times  greater  than  the prevalence in southern Italy, and similar regional differences have been reported in Spain, with psoriasis more common among the residents of central Spain, who experience colder and drier weather than individuals in the northern and southern regions.

Ethnicity may also play a part - studies have shown that Caucasians have a higher prevalence of psoriasis compared with African-Americans, but African-Americans in the US tend to suffer from a more severe form of the disease.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder, so family history plays an important role in the development  of  the  disease.  Approximately  40%  of  psoriasis  patients  have  first-degree relatives with the disease. Since psoriasis is categorized as an immune-mediated inflammatory disorder (IMFD), sufferers are also at an increased risk of developing other, more severe IMFDs, such as rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease.

Psoriasis patients are also at risk of developing psoriatic arthritis, which is a progressive, deforming, and debilitating disease and the most common comorbidity associated with psoriasis. However, lifestyle choices, and certain diseases and medications can affect the condition. Smoking increases the risk of developing psoriasis, and increases the severity of the disease. In addition, it has been noted that psoriasis is a common disease among obese patients, although the relationship between the two disorders remains unclear. Obesity also predisposes individuals to inverse or flexural psoriasis, which occurs in the folds of the skin. Various medications, such as
lithium, anti-malarial agents, betablocking agents, and non- steroidal  anti-inflammatory drugs  (NSAIDs), are  also  considered  as  possible  risk  factors, though there is insubstantial evidence to prove this as yet. EpiCast Report: Psoriasis - Epidemiology Forecast to 2022

The disease can be controlled with medication, but a cure has not yet been found. Psoriasis is often associated with unsightly lesions, scales, and inflammation, which can affect an individual’s self-esteem, leading nearly half of all psoriasis patients to report elevated stress levels, depression, and thoughts of suicide. Stress can trigger pathological processes, exacerbating many dermatological conditions, particularly psoriasis. Psoriasis patients suffering from these anxieties can also limit their social interactions and abuse alcohol and tobacco,further worsening their condition.

This report provides an overview of the risk factors and global trends of psoriasis in the nine major markets (the US, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, Japan, China, and India). It includes a 10-year epidemiology forecast of the prevalent cases of psoriasis segmented by sex and age.