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Living with GPP - Make the most out of your doctor's appointments

Questions to ask your doctor

middle aged woman, concerns around GPP, understanding GPP, Act4GPP

Understanding GPP

What is GPP?

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with Generalised Pustular Psoriasis (GPP), it’s important to know what GPP is.

GPP is a rare type of psoriasis.1 It is a lifelong, persistent autoinflammatory disease which unfortunately may be life-threatening.2 If left untreated, it can lead to complications including sepsis (infection), kidney failure, heart failure, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (fluid in the lungs).3

GPP is not contagious, so you cannot catch it from someone else or pass it on.4 Because GPP is so rare, many people (including doctors) are not familiar with it, meaning it’s not easy to recognise.5 In fact, patients with GPP may be wrongly diagnosed, as it can be mistaken as an infection or other diseases.6

With GPP, exacerbations or flares appear suddenly in the form of painful pustules over large areas of the skin.7 These are red, itchy, painful, and highly visible to other people. They may be accompanied by fever, chills, fatigue and nausea, as well as considerable mental and emotional distress.7-9 Pustules are inflamed, blister-like sores (lesions) that are filled with pus that appear on the skin’s surface, which can be scaly, flaky or itchy and can also be painful.10,11 People living with GPP experience pustules which often expand and combine, lasting from days to weeks.12 GPP can be persistent, with symptoms lasting for months, or relapsing, with symptoms resolving and then reappearing.3

Unfortunately, it’s not known exactly what causes GPP. Some people are naturally prone to getting it, but it can also be triggered by things like stress, certain medications, or pregnancy.7

GPP is a serious condition which requires systemic treatment (that works throughout the whole body), and not just topical treatment.6

Want to learn more about GPP?

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Information on GPP

While GPP is rare, here are some things we already know about the disease:

GPP is not contagious, you cant catch it from someone else. Act4GPP

GPP is not contagious.4 It is an autoinflammatory disease so you can’t catch it from or give it to someone else.12

patients living with GPP, people affected in Europe. Act4GPP

GPP is estimated to affect 2 per million people in Europe.13

40-50 years of age, people living with GPP. Act4GPP

GPP often first appears between 40-50 years of age.1

twice as many women living with GPP, gender. Act4GPP

GPP impacts twice as many women as men.9

type of psoriasis, difference between GPP and PP. Act4GPP

GPP is a specific type of psoriasis, not like plaque psoriasis.3

with and without associated psoriasis, Act4GPP

GPP can occur with or without associated psoriasis.14

life threatening complications, sepsis, organ failure, emergency care, Act4GPP

If left untreated, GPP can lead to life-threatening complications (such as sepsis or organ failure) often requiring emergency care.3

dermatologist, diagnosis of GPP, specialist, Act4GPP

A dermatologist is the right specialist to diagnose GPP.15

Check out this video
to understand more about GPP

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