Quality of life and treatment goals in psoriasis from the patient perspective: results of an Austrian cross‐sectional survey. (5th August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wolf, Peter; Weger, Wolfgang; Legat, Franz; Painsi, Clemens; Saxinger, Werner; Müllegger, Robert; Sator, Paul; Ratzinger, Gudrun; Selhofer, Sylvia; Richter, Leo; Salmhofer, Wolfgang; Lange‐Asschenfeldt, Bernhard; Trautinger, Franz; Mlynek, Alexander; Strohal, Robert; Augustin, Matthias; Quehenberger, Franz
• Is Part Of: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft. Volume 16:Number 8(2018)
• Page Start: 981
• Page End: 990
• Publication Date: 2018-08-05
• Subjects: Skin -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Dermatology -- Periodicals; 616.5005
• DOI: 10.1111/ddg.13613
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1610-0379

Abstract

Summary: Background: Patients with psoriasis experience impairment in quality of life. Thus, high‐quality dermatological care is of particular importance. Patients and methods: We performed a nationwide cross‐sectional survey in Austria (BQSAustria Psoriasis 2014/2015) with a special focus on quality of life and satisfaction with treatment among psoriasis patients predominantly treated at tertiary care centers. Results: Overall, 70.2 % of 1, 184 patients reported impaired quality of life (DLQI 2–5: 29.4 %; 6–10: 19.3 %; 11–15: 11.5 %; 16–20: 5.2 % and > 20: 4.9 %) despite treatment over the preceding four weeks (topical treatment in 88.2 % of cases and/or systemic treatment in 38.7 %). On average, none of the 25 defined subjective treatment goals was achieved to a sufficient degree. In particular, 82.2 % of patients continued to have pruritus despite treatment, which was highly significantly associated with a poor general health status over the preceding week (Spearman's rank correlation; p = 1.1e‐45), the extent of body surface area (p = 3.2e‐11) and scalp area (p = 3.2e‐11) affected, as well as pain (p = 2.3e‐22). Treatment with a biologic was significantly correlated with higher patient satisfaction (Wilcoxon‐Test, p = 2.0e‐16). Conclusions: Despite dermatological care, the majority of Austrian psoriasis patients continues to experience impaired quality of life; there is potential for improvement in the achievement of treatment goals.