Gene discovery offers new hope for people living with chronic skin disease

Scientists have discovered a gene mutation is responsible for causing psoriasis — a chronic inflammatory skin disease that causes patients to develop red, scaly and itchy patches across their body. According to researchers, if two copies of this mutated gene (known as IKBKB) are present, patients with psoriasis may go on to develop psoriatic arthritis, leaving them with joint pain, stiffness and swelling. It’s hoped the findings will lead to improved diagnosis and treatment for patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis — conditions that patients say carry stigma in the community.