Abstract
ABSTRACT: Psoriasis is a complex inflammatory disorder of the skin that affects up to 3.2% of the people in the United States. It is associated with psoriatic arthritis, a potentially debilitating inflammatory joint condition. Psoriatic patients also have an increased risk of lymphoma, heart disease, Type II diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. The degree to which each patient is affected with and by psoriasis can vary greatly. The treatment available for these patients includes topical products, phototherapy, traditional systemic medications, and biologics. With the high cost of healthcare in the United States, as healthcare providers, we must consider the direct and indirect costs of psoriasis. The annual cost of psoriasis in the United States for the year 2013 was approximately $112 billion. Current guidelines, which utilize evidence-based practice recommendations, help to provide patients with the most cost-effective treatment to yield the best results.