ABSTRACT
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the skin that affects 2% of the world (1). It is one of the more commonly seen and treated diseases for the general dermatologist, amounting to approximately 2.3% to 10% of the office practice (2,3). In a survey of dermatologists who belong to the American Academy of Dermatology, approximately 70% of psoriasis patients were treated with topical therapies and 30% with phototherapy/ systemic therapy (4). In another report, it is estimated that 75% of psoriasis patients have mild-to-moderate disease [as measured by <20% of body surface area (BSA) affected or a psoriasis area severity index (PASI) score of <10], and for which topical therapy can provide reasonable improvement (5). Topical therapies are usually considered first-line treatment (especially by primary care physicians), safe and effective, easy to administer, and cost effective. However, it is not a realistic expectation that topical therapy will result in total clearance of psoriatic lesions (6). Nevertheless, medical advances in the last 30 years, particularly systemic therapy and phototherapy, have given many psoriasis patients temporary partial to total clearance of their disease and relief from their symptoms.
