Patients with psoriasis and their compliance with medication.

BACKGROUND

Poor compliance with treatment advice in chronic conditions, such as psoriasis, represents a major challenge to health care professionals. Previous research suggests that the rate of noncompliance in chronic conditions may be as high as 40%.

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to examine self-reported compliance in patients with psoriasis.

METHODS

We undertook an anonymous postal survey sent to consecutive patients with psoriasis attending a tertiary psoriasis specialty clinic.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine percent of participants reported that they did not comply with the treatment regimen recommended. The noncompliant group had a higher self-rated severity of psoriasis (t = -2.16, P =. 03), were younger (t = 3.28, P =.001), and had a younger age at onset (t = 2.35, P =.02) than those who were compliant. The noncompliant group reported that psoriasis had a greater impact on daily life (t = -2.23, P =.028), but general well-being was not significantly different from those who complied (t =.47, P = not significant).

CONCLUSION

Patients who reported intentional noncompliance with treatment advice were more likely to believe that both psoriasis and its treatment interfered with their quality of life but not overall well-being. The impact of treatment on daily life highlights the importance of joint decision making in planning treatment.