Scope Of Practice: Pharmacist Perspectives On Plaque Psoriasis

The statement is true because many provinces have indeed expanded the scope of practice for pharmacists and have started reimbursing pharmacist services. This means that pharmacists can now provide a wider range of services to patients, including those with psoriasis. By integrating these services, the quality of life for psoriatic patients can be improved as they can receive specialized care and support from pharmacists who are trained in managing their condition.

Topical corticosteroids are commonly used to treat various skin conditions. However, they can have side effects when used for prolonged periods or in high doses. Skin atrophy refers to the thinning of the skin, while stretch marks are caused by the weakening of the skin's elasticity. Adrenal gland suppression occurs when the body's natural production of cortisol is reduced due to the use of corticosteroids. These side effects are well-documented and can occur with the use of topical corticosteroids, making the statement true.

Mixing of bases or adding ingredients to formulations can indeed reduce their potency and shelf-life. This is because certain ingredients or combinations of ingredients may chemically interact with each other, leading to degradation or loss of efficacy. Additionally, introducing new ingredients can introduce potential contaminants or alter the stability of the formulation. Therefore, it is important to carefully consider the compatibility of ingredients and follow proper formulation guidelines to maintain the potency and shelf-life of a product.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition, and research has shown that patients with psoriasis are at an increased risk of developing inflammatory diseases such as cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and psoriatic arthritis. Additionally, studies have also found a higher prevalence of depression among psoriasis patients compared to the general population. Therefore, the statement that psoriasis patients do not have an increased risk of inflammatory disease and depression is false.

The central theme of the Canadian Guidelines for the Management of Plaque Psoriasis is that physicians should consider not only the effectiveness of therapies but also the patient's willingness to adhere to them. This implies that treatment decisions should take into account the patient's preferences, lifestyle, and ability to comply with the prescribed therapies. By selecting treatments that the patient will work with, physicians can improve treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Psoriasis is actually considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Several studies have shown a strong association between psoriasis and an increased risk of developing cardiovascular conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure. The chronic inflammation associated with psoriasis is believed to contribute to the development of cardiovascular problems. Additionally, certain risk factors such as obesity, smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle, which are common in individuals with psoriasis, further increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, the statement that psoriasis is not a risk factor for cardiovascular disease is false.

Psoriasis typically first appears in late teens to early adulthood, which is the most common age range for initial onset and diagnosis. However, there is also a second peak in the late 50s to early 60s, where the condition can reoccur or worsen in individuals who had psoriasis earlier in life or developed it for the first time during this age range.

One fingertip unit of psoriasis topical cream, ointment, or gel is equal to 0.5 g of cream/ointment/gel, covering an area the size of one side of the patient's hand. This means that the patient should apply half a gram of the product, which is enough to cover the area of one side of their hand.

The correct answer is 2% because psoriasis is a common chronic skin condition that affects approximately 2% of the general population. It is characterized by red, scaly patches on the skin and can vary in severity. While the prevalence may vary among different populations and regions, 2% is a widely accepted estimate for the overall prevalence of psoriasis in the general population.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin condition that is triggered by various factors. Warm weather is not a potential trigger for psoriasis because it is generally believed that sunlight and ultraviolet (UV) rays can actually improve the symptoms of psoriasis. UV rays can slow down the rapid growth of skin cells, which is a characteristic of psoriasis. Therefore, warm weather is not considered a trigger for psoriasis.

In calcipotriol/betamethasone diproprionate therapy, marked improvement or clearance is generally seen within 4 weeks. This means that patients can expect to see significant improvement in their condition within a month of starting the treatment. It is important to note that individual responses may vary, but the majority of patients experience noticeable improvement within this timeframe.