This is Part 5 in our coverage of the 2012 Healthy Outcomes Conference, held in Kelowna, B.C.
Read Part 1: Winning partnerships
Read Part 2: Health and responsibility
Read Part 3: Growing value of benefits
Read Part 4: Link mental health to your business strategy
Psoriasis—a chronic skin problem that affects about 3% of the Canadian population, or about a million people—can cost a company up to $2,200 per affected employee each year in lost productivity, said Dr. Chih-ho H. Hong, a clinical assistant professor with the University of British Columbia.
Occurring when skin grows quickly and forms scaly patches, particularly on the head, elbows and knees, psoriasis most commonly starts when people are in their late teens, early 20s or late 40s.
Beyond the dollar cost to employers, this chronic disease severely affects the quality of life for those who have to manage it, Hong explained.
“Research has shown that the impact of this disease on the patient is the same as that of advanced cancer.”
Managing psoriasis is psychologically, physically and emotionally draining for employees, and their social and physical activities are reduced or limited because of treatment and care.
Hong said new biologic drugs are healing patients in a matter of months, not only improving their work productivity and their personal lives but also possibly keeping them healthier overall.
“What’s really interesting about some of the research that we’ve done in the last five years is that [psoriasis] patients are much more likely to have diabetes, to be overweight and to smoke cigarettes, and to have heart disease, heart attacks and strokes and die from these things. They’re also much more likely to be depressed. There’s emerging evidence that treating patients with these drugs not only fixes their psoriasis but also may reduce their risk of dying from a heart attack, stroke or untreated high blood pressure,” he added.
Psoriasis isn’t just a cosmetic issue; it’s a serious health challenge that is often related to other serious conditions, Hong explained.
“These biologic drugs help patients achieve health—which is not just the absence of the disease—and it also improves their state of physical, mental and social well-being.”
Leigh Doyle is a freelance writer based in Toronto. leigh.doyle@gmail.com
Get a PDF of this article and other coverage from the 2012 Healthy Outcomes Conference.