[Medical Q&A] How to determine the severity of psoriasis?

Planner: Chinese Medical Association

Reviewer: Zhang Yue, Chief Physician, Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University

The severity of the disease can be determined by the body surface area (BSA), psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) and dermatology life quality index (DLQI). The specific scores are as follows.

(1) Mild psoriasis (BSA <3%, PASI <3, DLQI <6 points)

●The disease does not affect the patient's quality of life.

●The patient is able to minimize the effects of the disease and does not need treatment.

●The treatment measures have no known serious adverse effects (such as topical corticosteroids).

(2) Moderate psoriasis (BSA 3%-10%, PASI 3-10, DLQI 6-10 points)

●The disease affects the patient’s quality of life.

●Patients expect treatment to improve their quality of life.

● The adverse effects of the treatment are minimal (although the treatment is inconvenient, expensive, time-consuming, and incompletely effective, patients believe that it has no effect on their short-term or long-term health status).

(3) Severe psoriasis (BSA>10%, PASI>10, DLQI>10 points)

●The disease seriously affects the patient's quality of life.

●Therapeutic measures with minor adverse reactions are not effective.

●The patient is willing to accept life-threatening treatment to alleviate or cure the disease. The disease is located on the face, hands, feet, nails, genitals, and joint disease/arthritis occurs.