6th WPPAC Awards
03 July 2021
By IFPA
Awards Presented at the 6th World Psoriasis & Psoriatic Arthritis Conference
The 6th World Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Conference (WPPAC) 2021 is a unique cross-specialty conference featuring the latest ground
breaking developments in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis research. The 6th edition of the conference also coincides with the 50th anniversary of its organizers, IFPA (International Federation of Psoriasis Associations).
On the fourth and final day of the conference, awards will be presented to outstanding researchers and advocates fighting to improve the lives of everyone living with psoriatic disease.
POSTER PRIZES
BEST SCIENTIFIC POSTER
Dr. Maria Lampinen
For the poster titled:
“Subclinical inflammation in the duodenum with increased numbers of activated immune cells in patients with mild to moderate psoriasis”
Motivation:
Lampinen investigated a large group with duodenal biopsies, including 18 psoriasis patients and 15 controls. The results show a subclinical inflammation with CD8 cells dominating. Using an Ussing chamber system it was found that in half of the patients the gut mucosa has an increased permeability (FITC Dextran, horse raddish peroxidase).
The work rhymes with the intense discussion at the conference surrounding the gut-skin axis. The results reinforce the importance of the microbiome in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. The data is well presented and invites further studies addressing the topic of subclinical inflammation and its consequences.
Honorable mention:
Sigurgeir Olafsson for “Whole-exome sequencing of hundreds of biopsies reveals the somatic evolutionary landscape of psoriatic skin”
&
Mariusz Sikora for “Intestinal barrier and gut microbiota-derived metabolites in the pathophysiology of psoriasis”
BEST EDUCATIONAL POSTER
Dr. Anna Langenbruch
For the poster titled:
“Quality of care and barriers to care for psoriasis in Europe – results of the PsoBarrier EU study”
Motivation:
This work was a true European effort investigating 1,304 patients with psoriasis. Clinical parameters such as severity (PASI, GCA), psoriatic arthritis, comorbidity, and current therapy data were collected per patient. In addition, patient-reported characteristics such as quality of life (DLQI), mental well-being (HADS), health state (EQ-VAS), the influence of psoriasis on career choices, and satisfaction with care were recorded.
Psoriasis was reported to have a strong influence on career decisions by 24.5% of Spanish patients, 18.4% of Polish, 8.1% of German and 4.6% of Danish patients.
Satisfaction with treatment was reported by 65.1% of Polish patients, 68.5% of German patients, 86.7% of Danish patients, and 90.9% of Spanish patients.
This poster was chosen as best educational poster because the data actively demonstrates that when effectively managed, psoriasis need not have any impact on an individual’s career. However, we are well aware that there is still a long way to go until stigmatization and self-stigmatization no longer impact career decisions.
BEST CLINICAL POSTER
Dr. Elena Gubar
For the poster titled:
“Association of axial involvement with more severe disease status in psoriatic arthritis patients”
Motivation:
The group investigated a large cohort of 385 patients with psoriatic arthritis using the CASPAR criteria. Psoriatic arthritis activity was evaluated by BASDAI and DAPSA. HLA B27 was analyzed and all patients had an x-ray of sacroilical joints.
55.6% of psoriatic arthritis patients showed sacroilical inflammation. In patients with sacroilical/axial involvement there was higher frequency of enthesitis (LEI) and more severe skin psoriasis.
This work adds knowledge to a heavily discussed problem put forward by many presentations during the 6th World Psoriasis & Psoriatic Arthritis Conference. It highlights the stand-alone characteristics of SI-inflammation as a marker for axial psoriatic arthritis and shows that this sub-phenotype of psoriatic arthritis is not a rare condition. Appropriate diagnostics are necessary to substantiate sacroilical inflammation.
The poster was selected because its methods were state-of-the-art, because a large number of patients were included in the study, and because the data contributes to a better understanding of how to best diagnose psoriatic arthritis and axial psoriatic arthritis in particular.
BEST PATIENT ORGANIZATION POSTER
Silvia Fernandez Barrio & AEPSO
For the poster titled:
“Correlation between patients’ needs and their access to psoriasis specialists”
Motivation:
This research work was selected for its potential to contribute to equity and champion advocacy. Patients’ needs must be correlated with access to specialists and health care professionals. Silvia Fernandez Barrio and AEPSO highlight poor access to specialists in many parts of the globe. The findings will inform policy makers so that they can address this important issue. It comes at an appropriate time.
The author’s poster is further lauded for its organisation and clarity! Every patient across the globe has the right to access a healthcare professional.
BEST YOUNG RESEARCHER POSTER
Dr. Jorge A Georgeakopolous
For the poster titled:
“Incidence and prognosis of COVID-19 in psoriasis patients on biologic therapy: a multicenter retrospective cohort study”
Motivation:
This research work could not have been presented at a better time. The COVID-19 pandemic has underlined an urgent need for adequate treatment, especially for people living with psoriatic disease and other chronic illnesses. During these uncertain times, many patients have been desperate for answers, questioning their vulnerability and whether they should interrupt their care. This multi-centre cohort study guides physicians in continuing biologic therapy during the pandemic.
The extensive work’s research criteria and findings have the potential to contribute to care and inclusion of people living with psoriatic disease, in this pandemic era, and in future crises! With promising beginnings such as these, we forsee a bright career for Jorge A. Georgeakopolous.
IFPA 50th ANNIVERSARY AWARDS
OUTSTANDING ACTION FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH PSORIATIC DISEASE
Dr. Nehal Mehta
Motivation:
Dr. Mehta’s research into cardiovascular inflammation related to psoriatic disease provided definitive evidence confirming the theories put forward by trailblazing pioneers in psoriatic disease research: psoriatic disease is a systemic inflammatory condition. Dr. Mehta is a novel leader in his field, with an impressive career that promises to continue skyrocketing. Just like IFPA, Dr. Mehta will continue to build upon the great achievements in psoriatic disease research, and spearhead new progress in for people living with psoriatic disease.
Nehal Mehta, MD, MSCE received his BA Summa Cum Laude in Neuropsychobiology in an Accelerated BA/MD Program from the George Washington University in 1997. In 1997, he studied Biochemistry at Oxford University as a Pembroke Scholar. Dr. Mehta received his degree in Medicine from George Washington University Medical School in 2001 with Distinction. Dr. Mehta completed his internship, residency and Chief Residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (2001-2005) followed by a fellowship in Cardiovascular Disease at the University of Pennsylvania focusing on nuclear cardiology, lipidology and atherosclerosis risk factors (2005-2009). Dr. Mehta completed a Research Fellowship in Genetic Epidemiology at Penn, and then joined the faculty at Penn for two years. In 2012, he was named the Inaugural Lasker Clinical Research Scholar at the National Institutes of Health’s National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
Kathleen Gallant
Motivation:
Kathleen Gallant has dedicated her life to psoriatic disease advocacy. As a young adult, Gallant became deeply involved in national advocacy, speaking about her personal experience, and campaigning for policy change on behalf of her country’s National Psoriasis Foundation. Battling her own disease, Gallant united the international community of patients, policymakers, corporations, researchers, and nonprofits towards a common goal. Her extraordinary personal commitment was the driving force behind the landmark 2014 WHO Resolution recognizing psoriasis. Kathleen Gallant’s dedicated efforts have paved the way for dramatic breakthroughs in national and international psoriatic disease policy.
Kathleen Gallant has been a member of IFPA’s Board since 2007. She lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and serves as ex-officio to the United States’ National Psoriasis Foundation Board of Directors. Gallant holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration / Nonprofit Management from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public and International Affairs.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Lars Ettarp
Motivation:
With a career spanning over 50 years, Lars Ettarp has been a driving force behind the evolution of global psoriatic disease advocacy. Ettarp was president of IFPA from 1987 until 2018. He grew IFPA’s global membership, established the World Psoriasis & Psoriatic Arthritis Conference, campaigned for the WHO Resolution on Psoriasis, conducted trainings in Africa, and launched World Psoriasis Day, among countless other accomplishments. In retirement, Ettarp continues to campaign for policy change in his home country of Sweden. On behalf of the millions of people who have better access to treatment and experience reduced stigma thanks to his work, IFPA honors the lifelong achievements of Lars Ettarp.
About the 6th World Psoriasis & Psoriatic Arthritis Conference 2021
Quick Facts
Theme: “Connected, informed, and united to improve multidisciplinary care for people with psoriasis & psoriatic arthritis”
Dates: June 30 – July 3, 2021
Venue: Virtual Conference broadcast from Stockholm, Sweden
Target group: Dermatologists, rheumatologists and general practitioners and allied health professionals with an interest in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis
Website: www.ifpaworldconference.com
Twitter: @PsoriasisIFPA, #WPPAC21
Press contact
Camille Lancelot, IFPA Communications Manager.
Email: camille.lancelot@ifpa-pso.com
Telephone: +46 73 961 15 65
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