Who is affected by psoriasis

Who is affected by psoriasis


Psoriasis is more common in adults than in children. It appears to be slightly more common in women than in men.1

Psoriasis affects:

  • 1% to 3% of people throughout the world.2
  • About 2% to 3% of people in the United States. Every year 150,000 to 260,000 people in the U.S. are newly diagnosed with psoriasis.1
  • Some cultures more than others.3 For example, it is common in Japanese people but not in native North Americans or native South Americans. It is uncommon among blacks in tropical areas, but it is seen more often among blacks in temperate areas, such as in the United States and Europe, where the year-round climate is moderate.

Citations

  1. Lee CS, Koo J (2007). Papulosquamous disorders. In RE Rakel, ET Bope, eds., Conn's Current Therapy, pp. 931–936. Philadelphia: Elsevier Saunders.
  2. Habif TP, et al. (2005). Psoriasis and other papulosquamous diseases. In Skin Disease: Diagnosis and Treatment, pp. 106–115. Philadelphia: Elsevier Mosby.
  3. Abel E, Lebwohl M (2005). Psoriasis. In DC Dale, DD Federman, eds., ACP Medicine, section 2, chap. 3. New York: WebMD.

Last Updated:December 10, 2007

Author:Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS

Medical Review:Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine & Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology

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