Message from the President
Striving for Better Psoriasis Treatment
Psoriasis is a skin disease that affects approximately 1 in 300 Japanese people. This chronic condition can sometimes lead to joint problems. When I was a resident in the early 1990s, there were very few effective treatment options, and many patients had to endure long hospital stays. Now, with the development of biologic agents and advanced oral medications, psoriasis treatment has progressed significantly.
Then, a question comes which one should choose among the many available treatment options. The ideal treatment would be highly effective, safe, and sustainable over the long term. But how can we determine which treatment is the right one.
NPO Western Japan Inflammatory Skin Disease Research Group
President: Shinichi Imafuku
Dermatologists treat patients every day, but the number of cases each doctor sees is limited. Even if a treatment appears effective for one patient, it could be coincidental. With limited cases, the evidence remains anecdotal rather than scientific.
To determine whether a treatment works consistently for 100 or even 1,000 patients, rigorous research is necessary. Additionally, understanding its long-term effects, including potential side effects over one year or even ten years, requires comprehensive evaluation across a large patient population. Only by gathering and analyzing extensive clinical experiences can we derive evidence-based conclusions.
We need to investigate the true nature of the disease, identify which treatments are suitable for which patients, and determine the potential risks of side effects associated with different treatments. Finding these answers requires long term follow-up of the patients.
For years, we have conducted collaborative research with university hospitals, community hospitals, and clinics across Western Japan area. Through these studies, we have gained valuable insights into the characteristics of psoriasis patients in our region. Moving forward, we aim to track treatment outcomes for at least ten years to deepen our understanding of the disease and identify optimal treatment methods.
Conducting such research requires substantial manpower and funding. Recognizing the necessity of a dedicated research organization to support and expand these studies, we established this NPO. While rare in Japan, our organization serves as an impartial platform that fosters multi-institutional collaboration.
We invite patients to participate in our research, working together to discover better treatment options. Additionally, we welcome support from companies and individuals who understand our mission. Your contributions will be invaluable in advancing psoriasis research and improving treatment for future patients.
We sincerely appreciate your support and cooperation.
NPO Western Japan Inflammatory Skin Disease Research Group
President: Shinichi Imafuku
NPO Western Japan Inflammatory Skin Disease Research Group
President: Shinichi Imafuku