A Strategic Approach to Setting the Research Agenda in Psoriasis

Abstract

Research into all the relevant facets of disease characteristics—including epidemiology, genetics, and pathogenesis—has historically yielded important insights that result in a progression of understanding as well as advances in treatment of disease. Certainly psoriasis can be highlighted as an example of a disease that through history has benefitted from the integration of serendipitous observation and defined research strategy, an interaction that has resulted in dramatically improved clinical comprehension and management of the condition. Despite this progress, major gaps still exist in our understanding of the different elements of the disease that could be used to guide the medical community's approach to research. Traditionally, medical research is organized along geopolitical and departmental divisions. This structure tends to impede collaboration in a multidisciplinary manner or by multiple organizations working congruently. To overcome this impediment, the objective of this International Psoriasis Council initiative was to leverage the available knowledge to highlight the key research needs in psoriasis and to convene appropriate experts, without regard for geography or research specialty, to make major strides in improving the overall outcomes for psoriasis patients.