The safety of immunosuppressants in the treatment of psoriasis patients: is there concern regarding those with familial lymphoproliferative disease?

Immunosuppressant drugs may increase the risk of lymphoproliferative disease (LPD) states, and additionally, the diagnosis of psoriasis may predispose to lymphoma. It is important to educate patients regarding the side effects of any treatment regimen. A positive family history of LPD disease may increase the risk of personal acquisition of LPD disease in those patients with psoriasis additionally making use of immunosuppressant therapy, such as the biologics.

Sleep disturbances in psoriasis.

Background: Psoriasis negatively impacts sleep, but the factors that cause this sleep disturbance are not well characterized.

Purpose: To assess sleep quality in subjects with psoriasis.

Methods: 35 outpatients diagnosed with chronic plaque psoriasis affecting at least 10 percent BSA and 44 controls completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Patient Health Questionnaire, Itch Severity Scale, Insomnia Severity Index, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale.