Topical Betamethasone in the Treatment of Chronic Plaque Psoriasis: A Review (Leading Article) (Clinical Report‪)‬

Introduction Psoriasis affects 0.5-4.6% of the population worldwide [1]. Most patients require lifelong treatment with unpredictable periods of remission and relapse [2] and patients' quality of life is seriously affected [3-5]. Chronic plaque psoriasis, the most common manifestation, ranges in severity from mild to severe. The goals of psoriasis treatment are to gain rapid control of disease, achieve and maintain long-term remission, minimise adverse effects and improve quality of life. In the first of two reviews of topical treatments of plaque psoriasis in this issue, betamethasone valerate is considered here.