Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2021 Nov;7(6):439-448.
doi: 10.1159/000517806. Epub 2021 Aug 3.

Scalp Psoriasis and Biologic Agents: A Review

Ilias Papadimitriou  1 , Katerina Bakirtzi  1 , Alexander Katoulis  2 , Dimitrios Ioannides  1
Affiliations
Review

Scalp Psoriasis and Biologic Agents: A Review

Ilias Papadimitriou et al. Skin Appendage Disord. 2021 Nov.

Abstract

Scalp-localized psoriasis is common among patients affected with plaque psoriasis, rendering its treatment exceedingly difficult. Furthermore, the symptoms caused by the disease like scaling, erythema, and pruritus, among others, pose a major psychological impact and a significant regression in the quality of life of the affected patients. Biologics have proved their efficacy in assuaging the symptoms, in terms of Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) reduction, and offering optimum quality of life, by decreasing the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) in the patients suffering from plaque psoriasis. Herein, we sought to evaluate the efficacy of biologics and small molecules in controlling the symptoms and their ability to offer long-term maintenance in the disease activity.

Keywords: Biologics; Psoriasis; Review; Scalp psoriasis; Small molecules.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

References

    1. Chan CS, Van Voorhees AS, Lebwohl MG, Korman NJ, Young M, Bebo BF, Jr, et al. Treatment of severe scalp psoriasis: from the Medical Board of the National Psoriasis Foundation. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009;60((6)):962–71. - PubMed
    1. Farber EM, Nall L. Natural history and treatment of scalp psoriasis. Cutis. 1992;49((6)):396. - PubMed
    1. van de Kerkhof PC, Franssen ME. Psoriasis of the scalp. Diagnosis and management. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2001;2((3)):159–65. - PubMed
    1. Mason AR, Mason JM, Cork MJ, Hancock H, Dooley G. Topical treatments for chronic plaque psoriasis of the scalp: a systematic review. Br J Dermatol. 2013;169((3)):519–27. - PubMed
    1. Rouzaud M, Sevrain M, Villani AP, Barnetche T, Paul C, Richard MA, et al. Is there a psoriasis skin phenotype associated with psoriatic arthritis? Systematic literature review. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2014;28((Suppl 5)):17–26. - PubMed