Epidemiological Characteristics of Psoriatic Disease in Peru from 2016 to 2023

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to estimate the incidence rate of psoriatic disease (psoriasis [PSO] and psoriatic arthritis [PSA]), both crude and age- and sex-standardized from the Peruvian healthcare system. METHODS: A secondary data analysis was conducted using nationwide records (2016-2023) from the National Health Superintendence (SUSALUD), encompassing both public and private sectors. Incidence rates were calculated per 100,000 person-years (py). RESULTS: Evaluating 195,866 PSO and 6,786 PSA cases, the overall incidence rates were 102.99 (95% CI 102.54-103.45) and 3.57 (95% CI 3.48-3.65) per 100,000py, respectively. Both conditions displayed increasing trends from 2016 to 2023. PSO incidence peaked in adults ≥65 years (300.46) and showed male predominance (130.04 vs. 76.94 in females). Conversely, PSA demonstrated a bimodal age distribution with an early peak at 40-44 years and a later, higher peak at 60-64 years, while maintaining a balanced sex distribution. Regional disparities were prominent; Lima-Callao reported the highest rates, whereas the Macro Central region recorded the lowest. CONCLUSION: PSO and PSA incidence rates are rising in Peru, presenting notable demographic and regional variations. The lower incidence in the Andean macro-regions may reflect a combination of healthcare access barriers and a protective genetic profile inherent to Native American ancestry. These findings emphasize the need for improved public health policies to address the growing demand for psoriatic care.