Role of Genetics
When one of a child’s biological parents has the gene for psoriasis, the child has a 10 percent chance of developing the disease at some point in life. When both of the child’s biological parents have the gene, this likelihood increases to 50 percent.
Although scientists hypothesize that 10 percent of the people in the general population inherit at least one of the genes necessary for the development of psoriasis, only 2 or 3 percent of these people ever develop the disease.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Approximately 11 percent of individuals who have psoriasis also have psoriatic arthritis. Many times, psoriatic arthritis remains undiagnosed, especially while it is in its mildest form. It is essential that psoriatic arthritis is diagnosed early to avoid permanent damage to the affected joints.
Epidemiology by Age
While psoriasis frequently develops from the ages of 15 to 35, this disease can become evident at any age. In fact, approximately 10 to 15 percent of the people who have psoriasis received their diagnosis before their tenth birthday. Specifically, each year about 20,000 children who are under the age of 10 receive a psoriasis diagnosis.
While there are infants with this disease, it is extremely rare.
Morbidity Rate
The results of a study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology found that individuals with a severe form of psoriasis, covering more than 10 percent of their bodies, had a death rate of 6.39 per 1,000. To put these numbers into perspective, that is nearly double the death rate of the individuals who did not have psoriasis.
FAQ
Is psoriasis more common in males or females?
According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, cisgender males and females develop the condition equally.
What percentage of the population has psoriasis?
According to the World Psoriasis Day consortium, approximately 125 million people, or 2 to 3 percent of people worldwide, have some form of psoriasis. About 2 percent of those living in the U.S. have some form of this disease.
Is psoriasis more common in certain ethnicities?
Yes, psoriasis is more prevalent among Caucasians (nearly 4 percent), than it is among Hispanics (a little over 1.5 percent) and African Americans (almost 2 percent).
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