The Hellenic Society of Dermatology and Venereology (EDAE) is running an awareness campaign on autoimmune and inflammatory skin diseases. Although they affect a significant number of people who live with their symptoms every day, these conditions remain largely unknown to the wider public.
This important category of dermatological conditions includes psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, alopecia areata and hidradenitis suppurativa, among others, according to the announcement.
The severity of the symptoms causes patients not only physical discomfort but also disruption to their daily lives, takes a toll on their mental wellbeing and reduces their quality of life. At the same time, a lack of awareness about these conditions often leads to prejudice and stigma, leaving those affected to experience social isolation, and even depression.
EDAE therefore stresses the importance of informing, educating and raising public awareness, as well as tackling the stigma surrounding these diseases. Early diagnosis and ongoing treatment in consultation with a dermatologist can help control the symptoms and conditions, giving patients a better quality of life.
Awareness campaign runs until mid-November
The campaign began in mid-September and will run until mid-November, taking in the World Days for two of the most common conditions in this category: Atopic Dermatitis on 14 September and Psoriasis on 29 October.
The campaign’s cinematic-style television advert is being shown nationwide and will also be screened in cinemas. The radio advert is being broadcast by radio stations, while campaign visuals are appearing in Athens and Thessaloniki, with advertising messages on the backs of buses.
At the same time, the campaign aims to reach every part of the country through its digital & social media campaign.
The campaign is supported by companies in the pharmaceutical sector.
Lead sponsor: La Roche-Posay.
Sponsors: Novartis and Pharmaserve – Lilly.
Supporters: Genesis Pharma, LEO and Pharmaserve Hellas – Galderma.
Which conditions are covered
EDAE president Sotiris Theoharis outlined the range of diseases covered by the campaign. “Autoimmune inflammatory skin diseases are a very important area of dermatology. The most significant include psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, alopecia areata and hidradenitis suppurativa, as well as some less common conditions such as cutaneous lupus erythematosus, localised scleroderma and bullous dermatoses,” he said.
As he explained, these conditions are not limited to skin rashes but can cause severe symptoms such as itching, burning and skin discomfort. They may also be accompanied by systemic manifestations and comorbidities, and often have serious psychosocial effects.
“Autoimmune inflammatory skin diseases not only cause skin rashes and severe symptoms such as itching, burning and skin discomfort, but may also be accompanied by systemic manifestations and comorbidities, and often lead to serious psychosocial effects (anxiety disorders, depression, social isolation and stigma),” noted the EDAE president.
These effects, he said, have a negative impact on patients’ personal, professional and romantic lives, disrupting their daily routines and quality of life.
The importance of early diagnosis and modern treatments
Sotiris Theoharis stressed that early diagnosis by a dermatologist and the prompt introduction of a tailored treatment plan can help control the conditions and their symptoms.
As he noted, appropriate treatment can give patients a better day-to-day life, improve their mental wellbeing and enhance their quality of life.
He also discussed developments in treatment, noting that modern therapies are expanding the options available to dermatologists.
In closing, the EDAE president stressed “modern treatments, such as biologics, JAK inhibitors and others that are already available, as well as the promising treatments we are awaiting, add further tools to dermatologists’ armamentarium to treat these conditions, with clearly better long-term results and, above all, safely.
At the same time, through this campaign, we at EDAE want to inform the public that these conditions are NOT contagious and that people affected by them should therefore NOT face discrimination. This is equally important for patients’ daily lives and quality of life.”