Immunology
Psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) share a common link – they are caused by an overreactive immune system that is out of balance. A person suffering from immunological disorders may experience pain, fatigue and difficulty performing simple tasks.
Every day, millions of people around the world are challenged by these debilitating diseases. At Janssen, we are determined to discover new ways of restoring immune balance and to advance the search for better medicines to improve the lives of millions.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a common dermatological disorder that affects around 2–3%1 of the world’s population. In Hong Kong, the prevalence of psoriasis is around 0.3–0.6%2.
People living with psoriasis have a poorer quality of life, often experiencing negative impacts on physical, social, emotional and mental wellbeing.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can cause joint pain and damage to other parts of the body.
According to the World Health Organization, rheumatoid arthritis affects around 0.3–1% of the population3 and is more common in women than men.
The autoimmune disorder tends to strike during the most productive years of adulthood, threatening livelihoods and careers.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
IBD is the chronic inflammation of the digestive tract, resulting in pain, fatigue and diarrhoea.
There are 6.8 million people4 living with IBD worldwide. This number is around 5,0005 in Hong Kong.
People with IBD live with pain and discomfort, which can complicate daily activities and disrupt work.
References
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National Psoriasis Foundation. Psoriasis Statistics. The Impact of Psoriasis. Updated August 10, 2020. Accessed November 26, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201122104257/https://www.psoriasis.org/psoriasis-statistics/.
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News.gov.hk. Press release. Treatment for psoriasis patients. November 4, 2015. Accessed November 26, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20191101071825/https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201511/04/P201511040716.htm.
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World Health Organization. Chronic diseases and health promotion. Chronic rheumatic conditions. Accessed November 26, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201111213123/https://www.who.int/chp/topics/rheumatic/en/.
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GBD 2017 Inflammatory Bowel Disease Collaborators. The global, regional, and national burden of inflammatory bowel disease in 195 countries and territories, 1990-2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 5(1):17-30.
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Ng SC, et al. Worldwide incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease in the 21st century: a systematic review of population-based studies. Lancet 2018; 390(10114):2769-2778.