Psoriasis Uncovered

• Ep. #268 "Beyond the Surface: Rethinking Psoriasis Severity and Elevating the Patient Voice"

  Description: Psoriatic disease affects far more than just the skin. Hear leading dermatologist Dr. April Armstrong and Dr. Benoît Guérrette discuss this and more with Jensen, a patient advocate. Psoriatic disease affects not only the skin but it can impact confidence, emotional and social well-being, and daily life. In this episode, join moderator Dr. Guy Eakin, Chief Scientific and Medical Officer at NPF, as we explore the disconnect between clinical classifications of psoriasis and what patients experience in real-life with leading dermatologist Dr. April Armstrong, Dr. Benoît Guérrette, Vice President of Dermatology & Rheumatology at Takeda, and Jensen, a NPF patient advocate and former Lead Youth Ambassador. Listen as we address the need for a more nuanced approach to classifying disease severity that accounts for the holistic needs of psoriatic disease, as well as share insights into how advocacy and awareness can drive change in treatment access and care standards.  The intent of this episode is to identify how clinical severity classifications of psoriasis are evolving to meet the needs of those who live with the disease and how that change impacts overall management. This episode is sponsored by Takeda. Timestamps: (0:00) Intro to Psoriasis Uncovered and guest welcome to dermatologist Dr. April Armstrong, Vice President of Takeda, Dr. Benoît Guérette, and patient advocate Jensen, who discuss the unmet needs of people with moderate psoriasis and how as a community we can better serve those living with the disease. 2:22 How health care providers and the biopharmaceutical industry are coming together to address systemic eligibility and the unmet needs of people living with psoriasis. 4:25 Quality of life should be included when assessing clinical severity in psoriasis and identification of appropriate treatment choices. 6:52 The impact of misdiagnosis, inappropriate treatment, and effect on high impact sites can be life- altering. 8:30 How appropriate treatment and knowledge can make all the difference when diagnosed with plaque psoriasis.  9:40 Views on the psoriasis disease classification system and how it's evolving to include real life impact from physical and emotional needs, to more personalized care for those living with psoriasis, even when small body surface areas are involved. Severity isn't defined by skin coverage alone. 12:38 What's needed to prioritize the care and outcomes of people living with psoriasis. 14:18  The future of management and care for psoriatic disease. 15:53  "My skin tells a story." Wisdom from what I wish I had known previously. 16:52  Moving closer to care that truly reflects the lives and needs of those who live with psoriasis. Key Takeaways: ·       Severity of psoriasis isn't defined by skin coverage or body surface area (BSA) alone. The impact on quality of life should also be considered in the assessment, selection of treatment, and management of the disease.  ·       The psoriasis disease classification system is evolving to be more of a patient centered approach.  Many clinicians are now using the International Psoriasis Council (IPC) or 2 bucket approach to identify whether someone should receive a topical or systemic treatment based on location and response to treatment, as well as impact on quality of life.  ·       With continued research and  development, the next 5 to 10 years could see a shift in effective treatment options while also treating sooner to initiate better outcomes for people living with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Guest Bios:   April Armstrong, M.D., M.P.H. is an internationally renowned dermatologist and clinical researcher who is a Professor and Chief of Dermatology at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) where she specializes in inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Dr. Armstrong is also the Co-Director for Network Resources at the UCLA Clinical and Translational Research Institute. She has conducted over 150 clinical trials and published over 350 high impact articles in scientific journals. Dr. Armstrong holds multiple leadership positions including the immediate Past Chair of the National Psoriasis Foundation Medical Board, Co-President of the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA), councilor for the International Psoriasis Council, and board member for the International Dermatology Outcome Measures and the American Academy of Dermatology.  Benoît Guérette, Ph.D. is an accomplished leader in medical affairs with extensive experience across academia and the pharmaceutical industry. Since March 2025, Dr. Guérette has served as Vice President of Dermatology and Rheumatology US Medical Affairs at Takeda Pharmaceutical. Prior to joining Takeda, he held several strategic and leadership roles at various pharmaceutical companies, including overseeing clinical development, global and U.S. medical affairs, global access & pricing, translational sciences and more. Before transitioning to the industry, Dr. Guérette was an Associate Professor of Immunology at Laval University, leading research in cancer immunology. He holds a Ph.D. in Medicine, Microbiology, and Immunology from Laval University and completed postdoctoral studies in Inflammation and Immunology at  Harvard Medical School.  Jensen is a volunteer and former Lead Youth Ambassador for the National Psoriasis Foundation. Jensen developed psoriasis at age 7 but wasn't formally diagnosed until age 14 being misdiagnosed along the way, trying different management approaches that were ineffective. She was a competitive swimmer from elementary through high school and in the last 2 years of high school played lacrosse. Upon finishing high school she attended college becoming a registered nurse in an intensive care unit. Jensen wants "youth living with psoriatic disease to feel a  community that is behind them and with them every step of the way. I really want to be able to make a difference in a way that would've helped me as a child when I was diagnosed." Resources: Ø  "Reassessing Psoriasis Severity" Advance Online, National Psoriasis Foundation. H. Onorati. January 16, 2024,  https://www.psoriasis.org/advance/psoriasis-severity-high-impact-sites/   Ø  "Psoriasis Involving Special Areas is Associated with Worse Quality of Life, Depression, and Limitations in the Ability to Participate in Social Roles and Activities". Blauvelt, A., Strober, B., Gondo, G., Journal of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Volume 8, Issue 3.  https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/24755303231160683

  --------  

  17:52

  --------

  17:52
• Ep. 267 "Managing Chronic Pain with Psoriatic Arthritis"

  Description: Chronic pain can be difficult to live with. If you have psoriatic arthritis you know all too well what that means. Listen as physiatrist Dr. Erin Maslowski and LB Herbert offer ways to manage pain before it manages your life.  Join host Susan McClelland-Tobert, a retired pediatric cardiologist who also lives with psoriatic disease as she uncovers the topic of what is chronic pain and how to manage it with Dr. Erin Maslowski, a physiatrist at Emplify Health System who specializes in physical medicine, rehabilitation and pain management, along with LB Herbert who also lives with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, and knows all too well what it means to live with pain, developing her own pain tool kit. Hear different strategies for managing initial flares to when pain escalates. Pain doesn't have to dictate how you live your life.  This episode addresses why pain occurs, it's impact, and what can be done to manage pain both physically and emotionally. Timestamps: (0:23)  Intro to Psoriasis Uncovered & guests physiatrist Dr. Erin Maslowski and LB Herbert (1:48)  The unpredictability of pain and what pain means to LB. (2:31)  The science behind what happens in the body when acute and chronic pain occurs. (5:08)  General principles and first steps to managing pain associated with inflammatory arthritis. (11:00) Recognition of flares and taking action to reduce the impact before pain escalates.        . (14:02) Steps to address the chronic pain cycle as it escalates such as steroid injections and                     medications that change how the brain perceives pain signals. (20:54) Side effects and cautions for use of pain management medications. (24:17) What and who LB turns to for managing her pain. (25:50) Support resources and who to consider as part of a pain management team.   (33:16) Overcoming the stigma of mental health and "it's all in your head". (34:45) Addressing the challenge of fatigue that often comes with pain. It's more than feeling                 tired.  (39:32) Activities to keep the body moving to help avoid stiff joints.          . (42:11) What's on the horizon for managing pain. (44:55) Start small, experiment with change, but above all give yourself grace if you're not able to           do something. Gain what control you can to live your life your way. Key Takeaways: ·       Chronic pain (existing for more than 3 months) occurs when ongoing inflammation keeps signaling pain via the nervous system becoming hypersensitized and greater than the original pain signal. This can occur even when inflammation is managed and in control.   ·       Treating chronic pain is complicated however there are many different avenues to help minimize pain associated with inflammatory diseases such as psoriatic arthritis.   ·       Management of chronic pain involves a variety of specialists and support to help address the         physical and emotional impact of living with chronic pain. Guest Bios: Dr. Erin Maslowski is a board-certified physician, physiatrist, at Emplify Health System where she specializes in Physical Medicine, Rehabilitation, and Orthopedic Sports Medicine providing care for musculoskeletal and spine injuries and pain management including image-guided injection procedures. She has expertise in treating arthritis, spinal stenosis and spondylosis, rotator cuff injury, and other conditions with the ultimate goal of restoring function after injury to the muscle, bone, soft tissue, or nervous system.  Dr. Maslowski is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health where she teaches both medical students and residents. She has over 15 years of clinical experience in physical medicine and rehabilitation.   LB Herbert, has been living with the challenge of managing pain associated with psoriatic arthritis for 16 years, even developing her own tool kit through the years. She has shared what's she's learned on other episodes of this podcast, through articles, and as a One-to-One Program mentor for the National Psoriasis Foundation. LB began her journey in 2009 with back pain. Following many years of being misdiagnosed she finally found a rheumatologist who put all her symptoms together to diagnose her with psoriatic arthritis and place her on an appropriate treatment path. She states "my biggest challenge is not knowing what each day will bring, what the symptoms will be, and if I wake up and flare. It's a continuous unknown." Resources: Chronic Pain kit  NSAIDS for Psoriatic Disease  Podcast episode: "Living with Chronic with Chronic Pain and Fatigue in PsA and SpA" with rheumatologist Dr. Philip Mease, Dr. Ernest Choy, from Cardiff University School of Medicine, with patients Melissa Leeolou and Minionette "Mini" Wilson who discuss causes, symptoms, risks, and tips for managing chronic pain and fatigue successfully.   

  --------  

  49:57

  --------

  49:57
• Ep. 266 "No Compromise: Skin, Joints, and You"

  Description: In this episode, we'll explore what it means to aim for no compromise in psoriatic arthritis care—addressing both skin and joint symptoms with dermatologist and rheumatologist Dr. Saakshi Khattri and patient advocate Dayna Pham who lives with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.   Join moderator Jeff Brown as he asks how patients and their healthcare providers can work in partnership to create a comprehensive, personalized treatment plan that reflects the full impact of psoriatic disease with triple board-certified dermatologist, rheumatologist, and internist Dr Saakshi Khattri, who is also an NPF medical board member, along with Dayna Pham, a patient advocate and volunteer with NPF's advocacy and community engagement teams who is living with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. . Whether you're newly diagnosed or navigating long-term care, this conversation is all about advocating for care that supports your whole self—without settling for less.   The intent of this episode is to emphasize the need to be aware of psoriatic arthritis symptoms and once symptoms are present accept no compromise when treating skin and joints to obtain clear skin and painless joints.  This podcast episode is sponsored by UCB. Timestamps: (0:23) Intro to Psoriasis Uncovered and guest welcome dermatologist, rheumatologist, and internist Dr. Saakshi Khattri and Dayna Pham, a patient advocate and medical student living with plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. (1:38) Psoriasis is more than skin deep with an inflammatory connection between the skin and joints. (3:03) The onset of psoriatic arthritis can be confusing. Healthy skin and joints should be the expectation without having to compromise on life's goals. (4:16) Knowing the association between psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis from the beginning is important to avoid delay in diagnosis and treatment. Be aware of systemic symptoms and discuss risks with a health care provider. (6:18 ) The goal of treatment is to achieve meaningful and lasting improvement in skin and joint symptoms.   (7:56) Treatments have evolved to target known drivers of inflammation in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. (8:29) The IL-17 family is a key cytokine with 6 related signaling molecules. IL-17A and F play a role in the inflammatory process related to psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. (9:48) What discussion about treatment goals could include between a patient and health care provider. (13:19) If you have psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis you should feel empowered to speak up, seek answers, and find a treatment that offers no compromise on achieving clear skin and healthy joints.   Key Takeaways: ·       Psoriasis is an immune mediated disease that results in systemic inflammation that can affect        both the skin and joints. Unfortunately many people do not realize their joint symptoms may          be related to their psoriasis.  ·       The purpose of treatment which uses a variety of mechanisms of action targeting specific cytokines such as TNF-alpha, IL-12/23, IL-23, IL-17 is to achieve meaningful and lasting improvement in skin and joint symptoms. ·       If you have psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis you should feel empowered to speak up, seek answers, and to work with your health care team to identify goals and treatment choices that aim to preserve quality of life. Guest Bios:   Saakshi Khattri, M.D., MAS, is a triple board certified medical dermatologist, rheumatologist, and internist in the greater New York area who serves on the medical board of the National Psoriasis Foundation. She is the Director of the Center for Connective Tissue Diseases at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Dr. Khattri's area of interests include inflammatory and autoimmune skin diseases especially those with a rheumatology/dermatology overlap like psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.  She is actively involved in research and clinical trials for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis where she seeks to identify immune pathways that lead to new biomarkers and treatments. Dr. Khattri is extensively published  in peer reviewed journals and is also a member of the International Psoriasis Council.                                                                                                                                                                  ​Dayna Pham is  a patient advocate, medical student, and volunteer with NPF's advocacy and community engagement teams who lives with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Dayna's psoriasis journey began at age 21 when she discovered bumps on her back which became plaques. Within weeks her body was impacted head to toe with plaque psoriasis, at 40% BSA.  After being misdiagnosed and undertreated for a few months she eventually found a dermatologist who diagnosed her with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and prescribed a biologic. She's 25 now and seeks to live her fullest life possible while balancing her psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Resources: ·     Learn more about psoriatic arthritis from symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options to      coping with the disease. Ø  ·      Armstrong A, Levit NA, Schneider B, et al. Patient-identified treatment goals for psoriatic                 disease: Results from a US patient survey.  J Psoriasis Psoriatic Arthritis. 2025;10(1):1–11.    

  --------  

  16:23

  --------

  16:23
• Ep. 265 "Exploring Connections Between Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis"

  Description: Listen as NPF Medical Board Members, dermatologist Dr. Robert Kalb and rheumatologist Dr. Sergio Schwartzman discuss the connections between psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, from cytokines to triggers, current and future treatments.   Join moderator Alan Simmons as he gains insights on what connects psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis with leading experts in psoriatic disease and NPF Medical Board members, dermatologist Dr. Robert Kalb with Buffalo Medical Group Dermatology, and rheumatologist Dr. Sergio Schwartzman from Schwartzman Rheumatology, as they discuss the known drivers of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, common triggers, benefits of targeted treatments, remission of disease, and upcoming treatment trends. The intent of this episode is to identify potential connections between psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, and how targeted treatments have changed the outlook for management of psoriatic disease. This episode is sponsored by Novartis. Timestamps: (0:41) Intro to Psoriasis Uncovered and guest welcome dermatologist Dr. Robert Kalb and rheumatologist Dr. Sergio Schwartzman who are both involved in clinical care and research of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.  (1:15) Current known pro-inflammatory cytokines and cells found in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.   (5:33) Types of psoriasis that may lead to a higher risk of developing psoriatic arthritis. (9:33) Common triggers for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis that could cause flares of the disease. (12:59) Key factors that are considered when choosing a treatment plan for any individual with psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis. (18:04) What treatment remission means for psoriasis. (19:36) Use of minimal disease activity (MDA) in psoriatic arthritis and what it means. (22:14) How a better understanding of the disease has led to more effective treatment choices and what choices are used by Dr. Kalb and Dr. Schwartzman for the management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. (28:39) New developments in treatment and research in psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis. (36:01) Given treatment advancements it's a wonderful time to treat psoriatic disease. 3 Key Takeaways: ·       Cytokines are chemicals in the body that moderate various processes. In psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis,  an unknown trigger stimulates some cells to overproduce pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha, IL-17 or IL-23 leading to the development of skin and joint disease.  ·       Treating psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis helps move the body towards normalizing the over reactive immune system especially with more targeted treatments that safely and effectively block specific cytokines without affecting other organ systems.  ·       Given advancements in targeted treatments the goal is to reach and maintain remission of psoriatic disease. Guest Bios:   Leading dermatologist Robert Kalb, M.D. is the Chair of the Buffalo Medical Group Dermatology Department and the Director of the Buffalo Medical Group Phototherapy Center, one of the leading centers for psoriasis care in Western New York. He is also a Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (SUNY Buffalo), as well as an Adjunct Professor of Dermatology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania where he plays a significant role in medical education, mentoring both medical students and dermatology residents. Dr. Kalb has extensive experience managing psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and other inflammatory skin diseases. He has authored 70+ publications and is actively involved in clinical research, particularly focused on new treatment options for psoriasis. He is a member of the NPF Medical Board, American Academy of Dermatology, and is a member of the International Psoriasis Council.  Sergio Schwartzman, MD, is a world-renowned rheumatologist based in New York City who brings almost 40 years of experience and personalized clinical care for those who have psoriatic disease. Along with being in private practice at Schwartzman Rheumatology, Dr. Schwartzman is a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, the New York-Presbyterian Hospital, and the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City where he has played a role in educating medical students, residents, fellows, and peers in rheumatology. Additionally, Dr. Schwartzman is the emeritus Franchellie M. Cadwell Clinical Associate Professor at the Hospital for Special Surgery. Dr. Schwartzman's current research interests include psoriatic arthritis, the spondyloarthritis group of diseases, ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, as well as defining and treating autoimmune diseases of the eye. He has authored, co-authored, and edited over 150 papers, abstracts, books and book chapters on topics including psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, axial spondylarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, autoimmune eye disorders, and other rheumatological and autoimmune conditions. He is a member of the NPF Medical Board. He is also a member of the American College of Rheumatology, the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, the Spondyloarthritis Research and Treatment Network (SPARTAN), the American Uveitis Society, and the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA). Resources: Ø  "Redefining Remission. A new definition for patients, providers, and payers." Advance Online, National Psoriasis Foundation. S. Schlosser. July 14, 2025.   Ø  Treatment and Management of Psoriasis     Ø  Treatment and Management of Psoriatic Arthritis  

  --------  

  42:31

  --------

  42:31
• Ep. 264 "Vaccines and Psoriatic Disease: What You Need to Know"

  Episode Description:  Not sure if you should receive a vaccine given your psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis medication?  Dermatologist Dr. Jason Hawkes explores this question along with vaccination recommendations for adults receiving biologics and oral therapies for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Listen as hosts Jeff Brown and LB Herbert discuss key questions about vaccine use and psoriatic disease with dermatologist and NPF Medical Board member Dr. Jason Hawkes who is co-owner, Chief Scientific Officer, and investigator with the Oregon Medical Research Center. Hear what the difference is between live and non-live vaccines, how type of vaccine and immunosuppressive medications impact the timing of vaccines in relation to treatment half-lives. Get your questions answered. The intent of this episode is to offer answers to questions about vaccine use for people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis who take immunosuppressive treatments.   Timestamps: (0:23) Intro to Psoriasis Uncovered & guest welcome dermatologist Dr. Jason Hawkes. (1:15) In general, what is a vaccine and how it works in the body. (2:08) Will vaccines provide the same level of protection in people with psoriatic disease who are         on treatments that influence the immune system. (4:53) The difference between live and non-live vaccines.   (8:57) Summary of NPF Vaccine Recommendations in relation to live and non-live vaccines and             specific medications for psoriatic disease, including a definition of medication half-lives. (13:38) Vaccines that may be recommended prior to starting a systemic medication or biologic. (18:27) The mRNA vaccine – how it works in comparison to other vaccines. (22:31) How long immunity lasts from childhood vaccines. (25:24) The vaccine guidelines apply to both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis with some nuances.      (28:38) Which healthcare provider to turn to for advice about vaccines and why. (31:54) Questions to ask your health care provider about vaccines. (33:26) How clinical trials and registries are evolving to assess the effect of vaccines with specific             medications and the need for greater understanding. (36:44) Develop a good relationship with your health care provider and don't be afraid to ask                 questions about your psoriatic disease, vaccines, or specific medications. Key Takeaways: ·       Vaccines work to help protect the body or stimulate protection against common infections or pathogens. There are different types that can be classified as either live or non-live vaccines.   ·       Evidence-based vaccine recommendations are available for people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis to help guide timing of when to receive live and non-live vaccines when taking immunosuppressive oral systemic medications and/or biologics.   ·       It's important to discuss which vaccines to consider, and how current psoriasis medication could impact the intended response and timing  with your health care team which includes a primary care physician, a dermatologist, and/or rheumatologist.    Guest Bio: Dermatologist Jason Hawkes, M.D., MS is Co-owner, Chief Scientific Officer and Investigator with Oregon Medical Research Center (OMRC) in Portland, Oregon. He is also a Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Oregon Health and Science University and the President and Sole Member of Hawkes Dermatology. Prior to joining the Oregon Medical Research Center, Dr. Hawkes held academic faculty appointments in the Departments of Dermatology at the University of Utah School of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and University of California-Davis. Dr. Hawkes' principal clinical and research interests are the treatment of complex inflammatory skin diseases, such as psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, chronic urticaria (hives), and eczema. He has a special interest in translational human research and the development of novel biologics and small molecules used for the treatment of inflammatory conditions. Dr. Hawkes is also a Councilor of the International Psoriasis Council (IPC) and serves on the Medical Board and Scientific Advisory Committee of the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) where he participates in the development of clinical consensus statements. Resources:         "Does Having Psoriatic Disease Impact Vaccine Choices?" Psound Bytes™ podcast with Dr. Sandy Chat (University of California) and Dr. Christoph Ellebrecht (Dept. of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania).       Medical Board Clinical Statements                

  --------  

  41:27

  --------

  41:27

More Education podcasts

Trending Education podcasts

About Psoriasis Uncovered

Psoriasis Uncovered: Podcasts in Family