Half a million Australians affected by a debilitating skin and joint disease could be one step closer to a cure after a major scientific breakthrough.
Researchers from the Australian National University have discovered a gene mutation is responsible for psoriasis outbreaks.
Patients living with the auto-immune disease carry a mutated IKBKB gene, and patients with psoriatic arthritis could carry two versions of the gene.
Almost one-third of Australians with psoriasis go on to develop psoriatic arthritis, characterised by pain, joint stiffness and swelling.
ANU researcher Chelisa Cardinez said the scientific breakthrough, which came from mice-testing, may lead to earlier detection and treatment.
"Delays in psoriatic arthritis diagnosis is linked to worse clinical outcomes for patients," she said.
"By developing a better understanding of the IKBKB gene and the role it plays in promoting the onset of these diseases, it could bring us a step closer to one day finding a cure," Dr Cardinez said.
Rebecca Davey is one Australian living with the disease.
"People don’t understand the debilitating effects these conditions can have on the individual and a whole family when someone is in constant pain," she said.
Ms Davey was forced to give up her nursing job due to the irritation of constant hand washing on her skin, and says she has faced stigma for her disease.
"So many people are accused of having poor hygiene due to the plaques or even just minor skin lesions as they erupt," she said.
"I had no idea what was causing my hands to flare up all the time ... our poor GPs often don't recognise these conditions early."
There is a shortage of skin doctors in Australia, with just 645 practising dermatologists and only six per cent working in regional or remote areas.
Rheumatologists are also in short supply.
In 2021 there were 380 adult and 20 paediatric rheumatologists in Australia, to care for seven million Australians.
Ms Davey says the shortages are making the disease harder for patients.
"People can wait over a year for an appointment if their symptoms are less dramatic," she said.
"We must raise greater awareness of invisible disabilities such as those created by these conditions."
