Psoriasis Diagnosis

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease caused by immune system abnormalities, characterized by epidermal hyperplasia and inflammatory reactions. The etiology is complex, involving genetic, environmental, and immune factors, and the pathogenesis has not yet been fully clarified. The disease course is long and prone to recurrence, and in severe cases may involve joints, affecting patients’ quality of life and health.

Consequences of Delayed Diagnosis and Treatment

If psoriasis is not diagnosed and treated in time, the condition may rapidly worsen, with expanding lesions, severe itching, and skin damage prone to secondary infection. In addition, some patients may develop psoriatic arthritis, leading to joint pain and functional impairment, severely affecting patients’ life and work abilities.

Diagnostic Basis of Psoriasis

1. Clinical manifestations

The most typical presentation of psoriasis is well-demarcated red plaques covered with silvery scales. Lesions commonly occur on the scalp, extensor surfaces of the limbs, and trunk. When scales are scraped off, pinpoint bleeding (Auspitz sign) may be observed, which is an important diagnostic basis.

2. Pathological examination

Skin biopsy reveals epidermal thickening, hyperkeratosis, and inflammatory cell infiltration in the superficial dermis. These microscopic features help confirm diagnosis and rule out other dermatoses.

3. Family history

Psoriasis has a hereditary tendency. If there are affected individuals in the patient’s family, the risk of onset significantly increases. Collecting family history aids in comprehensive diagnosis and disease prediction.

4. Immunological testing

Detection of changes in immune cells and inflammatory factors in patients’ serum, such as interleukin-17 (IL-17) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), assists in diagnosis and efficacy evaluation.

5. Imaging examinations

For patients suspected of developing psoriatic arthritis, X-rays or MRI can be used to observe joint damage, assisting in evaluating disease severity.

6. Dermoscopy

Dermoscopy magnifies lesion observation, helping differentiate psoriasis from other erythematous dermatoses and improving diagnostic accuracy.

7. Blood biochemical indicators

Some patients show elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in blood tests, reflecting systemic inflammation and assisting in assessing disease activity.

8. Other auxiliary examinations

Comprehensive physical examinations help rule out other systemic diseases, particularly cardiovascular and metabolic abnormalities, as psoriasis patients have a higher risk of comorbidities, which should be considered during diagnosis.

Conclusion

As a complex chronic inflammatory disease, psoriasis diagnosis relies on a comprehensive evaluation. Early and accurate diagnosis not only helps timely intervention and prevents disease progression but also provides a basis for individualized treatment plans. Experts at United Life International Medical Center emphasize that standardized diagnostic procedures and multidisciplinary collaboration are crucial for improving prognosis. They call on both patients and medical professionals to raise awareness and actively address the challenges of psoriasis diagnosis and treatment.