Psoriasis Incidence and Lifetime Prevalence: Suggestion for a Higher Mortality Rate in Older Age-classes among Psoriatic Patients Compared to the General Population in Italy

Abstract

Data on the psoriasis incidence and prevalence in the Italian population are limited, and a timely and accurate understanding of the disease epidemiology is needed. This ad hoc study investigated psoriasis incidence and lifetime prevalence in a representative sample (n?=?14,705) of the Italian population. Information on lifetime history of skin disorders with details about their onset, duration, and treatment was collected. Psoriasis incidence showed a bimodal distribution pattern, with peaks in age classes characteristic of early-onset (35?44 years) and late-onset (65?74 years) psoriasis. Late-onset psoriasis showed some variations according to the sex, with females being diagnosed earlier than males. Lifetime prevalence of psoriasis was 2.7% (95% confidence interval: 2.5?3.0): it increased to 3.5% at age 60?64 years, then decreased steadily after age 64, to 1.7% at age >?74 years. This decrease, despite a peak in incidence rates, after age 64, may suggest a higher mortality rate among psoriasis patients in older age classes, compared to the general population.