Psoriasis in Jordan : a single center experience

Abstract EN

Objectives : to evaluate the demographics, therapeutic protocols, risk factors and co-morbidities of psoriasis in one hospital in Jordan's public military health sector.

Methods : our study included 350 adult patients, of both genders, aged 19 -75 years, diagnosed with psoriasis by dermatologists.

The demographics, therapeutic protocols, risk factors and co-morbidities were assessed.

Psoriasis was classified as severe, moderate, and mild forms depending on the psoriasis area severity index (PASI) score, which was used to assess the severity of psoriatic lesions based on area coverage and plaque appearance, a PASI <5 is a mild psoriasis, a PASI <10 is a moderate, and a PASI >10 is a severe psoriasis.

We collected information on skin disorders and infections, chronic diseases, pregnancy, stress, obesity, smoking status and drug use (beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, anti-malarial, NSAIDs, lithium, interferon's, tetracycline's and penicillin.).

The study was approved by the ethics and research review board committee of the Royal Medical Services.

The patients' information was used for the study during a period of 4 years from Jan 2012 to Jan 2016 at Prince Rashid Military Hospital, Irbid, Jordan.

Results : psoriasis was more prevalent in men and most prevalent in the age group 68-75 years.

The prevalence in both genders increased with increasing age.

94.9% of patients were treated with topical corticosteroids and 12.9 % of patients had systemic treatment.

Psoriatic patients experienced increased co-morbidities of diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia.

Patients with previous skin disorders (OR, 3.1 [95% CI, 2.9-3.8]) and skin infection (OR, 1.7 [95% CI, 1.5-1.8]), during the last year, had the highest risk of having psoriasis.

Other risk factors include Smoking, obesity, stress, depression and skin trauma.

Conclusion : the number of Jordanian psoriatic patients presenting to public health military sector hospitals is more in males than in females and the number increased markedly in patients aged 68-75 years.