The British Association of Dermatologists' Biologics Register (BADBIR) is a national register of all patients receiving biologic therapy for the treatment of psoriasis in the United Kingdom. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has recommended that all patients in the UK receiving these new therapies for Psoriasis should be registered with us. The primary aim of the register is to monitor the safety of these drugs.

STUDY DESIGN: This is an epidemiological prospective observational cohort study comparing patients receiving biologic therapy with those receiving conventional therapy.

DATA COLLECTION: Clinical data is being collected using a web-based system. We are also asking patients to complete short questionnaires by post.

PILOT PHASE: There are currently 7 hospitals taking part in the pilot phase. The main study will begin in early 2008.

The Register is based at the arc Epidemiology Unit at the University of Manchester.

NOTE TO CLINICIANS: Your hospital will require NRES ethical approval to register your patients. Please e-mail us at badbir@manchester.ac.uk so that we can help you with this process. Although we already have MREC approval, your hospital will need to gain local ethical approval via NRES.

Hospitals with ethical approval