Welcome to the first digital edition of the IPC Psoriasis Review. While we are thrilled to put 2020 behind us and move forward, we are also proud of what we accomplished during such a difficult time.
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic required the IPC to take action given the impact on people with psoriasis and implications for medical management. In response, the IPC Board of Directors issued a statement for health care professionals and established a web-based COVID-19 and Psoriasis Resource Center. The resource center is continuously updated to remain current and has provided timely information to nearly 85,000 individuals worldwide. It includes videos on real-world experiences from physicians at the forefront of the pandemic, expert opinions on published manuscripts, links to treatment guidelines, and information on the PsoProtect and PsoProtectMe COVID-19 registries, of which IPC is a global partner.
Recently, the IPC board issued a new statement regarding psoriasis, its treatment, particularly systemic therapy, and their impact on vaccines effectiveness and safety. The board will continue to monitor the pandemic's impact on psoriasis care and provide guidance statements for the community, when appropriate, and additional resources as needed.
Due to the cancelation of nearly all in-person meetings in 2020, IPC quickly adapted and shifted focus to offering more virtual medical education opportunities. IPC held four regionally-focused webinars for dermatologists during 2020. A variety of topics were covered, including new treatments, treatments in development, co-morbidities, COVID-19, biomarkers, pathogenesis, disease severity, and infections.
In 2021, IPC will further expand its virtual symposia by hosting 90-minute webinars for a global audience.
To ensure future resources are relevant to dermatologists worldwide, IPC has created an Editorial Committee, led by Johann Gudjonsson, MD, PhD. Offerings will include various educational activities, assessment tools, treatment guidelines, checklists, and other tools recommended by our community of physicians.
IPC looks forward to hosting symposia in 2021 at major congresses either in person or virtually, including the RADLA, IFPA, EADV, SID, and ESDR.
As always, thank you for being a part of the International Psoriasis Council. Here's to a happy and healthy 2021!
Cheers,
Jonathan Barker, MD, FRCP, FRCPath
President, International Psoriasis Council
In the Lab with Nicole Ward, PhD
“As a basic scientist, my interest is in helping to address gaps in the field and to contribute to a better understanding of the pathophysiology behind psoriasis comorbidities and potentially personalized medicine. It’s my hope that the work we do in the lab helps psoriasis patients feel better and live longer, healthier, happier lives.”
Recent Additions to the IPC COVID-19 Resource Center
IPC COVID-19 Vaccine Statement
The IPC Vaccine Statement was issued in anticipation of physicians recommending the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine to psoriasis patients. This statement includes six key takeaways.
Expert Commentary: NPF COVID-19 Task Force Updated Guidance Statement
IPC Board Member Hervé Bachelez provides his perspective on the recently revised version of the National Psoriasis Foundation's COVID-19 statement, which was released after analyzing publicly available data of the two approved anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines available in the US.
Expert Commentary: Factors associated with adverse COVID-19 outcomes in patients with psoriasis – insights from a global registry-based study
IPC Councilor Jörg Prinz, MD, discusses the decision to initiate or maintain systemic therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic in this IPC Expert Commentary.
Expert Commentary: National Psoriasis Foundation COVID-19 Task Force guidance for the management of psoriatic disease
IPC Founding President Alan Menter and IPC Councilor Ulrich Mrowietz discuss the new guidance on psoriasis care from the National Psoriasis Foundation’s COVID-19 Task Force in this 2-for-1 IPC Expert Commentary.
IPC has launched its IPC Academy Online, a free online learning platform designed to provide expert insight, timely research, and practical information to dermatologists worldwide to improve the care of psoriasis patients. The first program to launch within the IPC Academy Online is Take Ten with IPC, featuring short videos from our psoriasis experts covering various topics designed to view during a break or when a clinician is "taking ten."
The Argentine Guidelines for Systemic Treatment of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis in Adult Patients, co-authored by IPC Councilor Cristina Echeverría, MD, is now available.
More than 100 psoriasis specialists and industry partners from around the world convened during the 2020 IPC Think Tank, held virtually for the first time, on December 11, 2020. The purpose of IPC’s Think Tank is to discuss the most pressing global issues affecting psoriasis care and treatment, which shapes IPC initiatives for 2021 and beyond. Read the full meeting report and catch up on everything addressed during the virtual event.
Were you unable to attend the 2020 Virtual European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress? Get the highlights of all sessions focused on psoriasis with IPC's 2020 EADV Symposium Report. 15 EADV sessions are summarized for easy reading. Topics Include:
Challenging cases in psoriasis: A focus on COVID-19, biologics and adverse events
Reunión Anual De Dermatólogos Latinoamericanos (RADLA) | Virtual
Saturday, April 17, 2021, 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm PYT (virtual, live event)
Program chairs: Claudia de la Cruz, Chile; André Vincente Esteves de Carvalho, Brazil; and Angela Londoño, Colombia Program faculty: Romina Contreras, Paraguay; Peter van de Kerkhof, the Netherlands; and Fernando Valenzuela, Chile
*Must be registered for the RADLA congress to attend.
IPC’s International Fellowship program provides young dermatologists and researchers interested in psoriasis full access to the knowledge of our network of experts. The Fellows program represents IPC’s commitment to cultivating expertise in the field. Congratulations to our 2021 fellows!
The Global Psoriasis Atlas continues to progress toward its mission to provide a benchmark on the complete burden of psoriasis in all regions of the world. In a recent GPA paper published in the British Medical Journal, findings from the most comprehensive systematic review undertaken to examine the global epidemiology of psoriasis are presented. The methods presented in the paper underpin the data analysis that forms the Global Psoriasis Atlas.
The IPC board of directors recently approved an "Honorary Founder" designation to recognize the value and appreciation of the time, effort, and passion our founders have and continue to devote to the IPC. This designation is for a lifetime or until the individual chooses to resign and allows the founders to attend all board events, including board meetings (as a non-voting member), corporate membership meetings, the IPC Think Tank, and other IPC meetings and events.
IPC has named Dr. Alan Menter and Prof. Chris Griffiths as Honorary Founders, recognizing the two for their commitment to improving the lives of those living with psoriasis.
Dr. Alan Menter was IPC's Founding President from 2004 - 2010 and continues to participate in IPC board activities.
Prof. Chris Griffiths was IPC President from 2014 - 2016, and has served on the IPC Board since 2004.
IPC President-Elect Craig Leonardi received the NPF Lifetime Achievement Award
The National Psoriasis Foundation recently honored Dr. Craig Leonardi, IPC President-Elect, with their Lifetime Achievement Award for his tireless efforts to support and care for people living with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Congratulations, Dr. Leonardi!
An update from the PsoProtect/PsoProtectMe COVID-19 registries
PsoProtect, the global registry for clinicians to report outcomes of COVID-19 in individuals with psoriasis, recently shared its most recent data in a published scientific research paper entitled, ‘Factors associated with adverse COVID-19 outcomes in patients with psoriasis – insights from a global registry-based study.’
The 6th World Psoriasis & Psoriatic Arthritis Conference 2021 is going virtual
The Scientific Executive Committee and International Federation of Psoriasis Associations (IFPA) invite you to the first-ever virtual 6th World Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Conference 2021. Leading experts will share insights with an international audience of dermatologists, rheumatologists, allied health professionals and patient leaders.
“As a basic scientist, my interest is in helping to address gaps in the field and to contribute to a better understanding of the pathophysiology behind psoriasis comorbidities and potentially personalized medicine. It’s my hope that the work we do in the lab helps psoriasis patients feel better and live longer, healthier, happier lives.”
IPC Board Member Hervé Bachelez provides his perspective on the recently revised version of the National Psoriasis Foundation's COVID-19 statement, which was released after analyzing publicly available data of the two approved anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines available in the US.
IPC Councilor Jörg Prinz, MD, discusses the decision to initiate or maintain systemic therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic in this IPC Expert Commentary.
The Argentine Guidelines for Systemic Treatment of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis in Adult Patients, co-authored by IPC Councilor Cristina Echeverría, MD, is now available.
IPC President-Elect Craig Leonardi received the NPF Lifetime Achievement Award
