The response of psoriasis to the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporine suggests that its primary pathogenic factor may be immunologic (as in an autoimmune disease). The prognosis of this condition depends on the extent and severity of the initial involvement. Usually, the earlier the age of onset, the greater the severity. Because this disease is a recalcitrant, difficult to treat condition, I am always on the lookout for articles discussing its Chinese medical treatment. Below are abstracts of three recently published articles in Chinese medical journals.

I find the following clinical audit very interesting since it was written by a Chinese doctor who worked in America for several years. In this article, the author, Li Ya-qin, describes his treatment of 68 cases of psoriasis among Americans. Dr. Li attributes the relatively large incidence of psoriasis among Americans to our peculiar diet and lifestyle. The full article from which the following has been abstracted was titled, "The Treatment of 68 Cases of Psoriasis with Xiao Ying Fang (Disperse Silver Formula)." It appeared in Xin Zhong Yi (New Chinese Medicine), #5, 2001, on page 62.