| Term |
Explanation |
| Acrosyringium |
The most superficial portion of the eccrine gland (sweat gland) duct |
| Alitretinoin |
A medicinal form of vitamin A that is taken orally (by mouth) to treat psoriasis and other skin conditions |
| Anti‐tumour necrosis factor |
A class of drugs that target an inflammation‐causing substance called tumour necrosis factor (TNF) to reduce inflammation in many inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, juvenile arthritis, Crohn's colitis, ankylosing spondylitis, and psoriasis |
| Cochran's Q |
Q is the weighted sum of squares on a standardised scale. It is reported with a P value, with low P values indicating the presence of heterogeneity. This test, however, is known to have low power to detect heterogeneity, and it is suggested that a value of 0.10 is used as a cut‐off for significance. Conversely, Q has too much power as a test for heterogeneity if the number of studies is large |
| Concomitant |
Something that accompanies something else |
| Corticosteroid cream |
A cream formulation containing a steroid medicine that can be applied to the skin to treat inflammation in conditions such as psoriasis or eczema |
| Cytokines |
Proteins involved in cell signalling |
| Dermis |
The middle layer of the skin |
| Desquamation |
The shedding of the outer layers of the skin |
| Dyslipidaemia |
Abnormal blood lipid levels |
| Epidermis |
The upper layer of the skin |
| Erythema |
Redness of the skin or mucous membranes |
| Fissuring |
Having a deep groove or tear in the skin |
| Heterogeneity |
Presence of variation in true effect sizes underlying different studies |
| Hyperkeratosis |
Thickening of the stratum corneum (the outermost layer of the skin) |
| Genetic susceptibility locus |
Place on the gene coding for psoriasis vulgaris |
| Monoclonal antibody |
An antibody produced by a single clone of cells and consisting of identical antibodies |
| Narrow‐band UVB |
A type of light therapy that uses just a small part of the ultraviolet B wavelengths of light to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis |
| Occlusion |
Using a topical treatment "under occlusion" means that the medication has been covered after being applied to the skin surface keeping it on the affected site |
| Placebo |
A medicine prescribed for a patient for its psychological effect more than for its physiological benefit |
| Proteolysis |
Breakdown of proteins into smaller parts |
| Spongiform |
Having a porous structure; multi‐locular |
| Systemic therapy |
Treatment that goes through the bloodstream to reach its target in the body |
| Topical vitamin D derivative |
A compound similar in structure to vitamin D, which can be applied to the skin to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis |
| Unilocular |
Characterised by 1 cavity: single‐chambered |
| White blood cells |
Neutrophils, mast cells, T lymphocytes, eosinophils |
