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Psoriasis — SCE Dermatology MCQ

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EasyInflammatory DermatosesPsoriasisSCE Dermatology

A 55-year-old man has chronic plaque psoriasis and is being assessed for biologic therapy. His dermatologist calculates his PASI score. Which four parameters does the PASI score assess?

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Correct answer: D — Erythema, induration, scaling, and body surface area involvement

The Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) assesses four body regions (head/neck, upper limbs, trunk, lower limbs) for three clinical parameters: Erythema (redness), Induration (thickness), and Desquamation (scaling), each scored 0-4, weighted by the percentage of body surface area affected in each region. Total PASI ranges from 0-72. PASI 75 (75% reduction from baseline) is the standard primary endpoint in clinical trials. DLQI (Dermatology Life Quality Index) is a separate patient-reported outcome measuring quality of life impact. Both PASI and DLQI are required for biologic eligibility assessment per BAD/NICE.

Reference: BAD 2020 Psoriasis Guidelines; NICE