How patients experience psoriasis: results from a European survey.

BACKGROUND

Most of the psoriasis that affects the European population is treated with topical preparations. Compliance rates, however, are known to be quite low.

OBJECTIVE

To provide an update on how psoriasis is experienced by patients and how well these patients comply with prescribed topical treatment.

METHODS

This was an observational and transversal survey conducted in 1281 patients with psoriasis. Patient input alone formed the basis of the study. Participants were contacted through the national psoriasis patient associations in France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.

RESULTS

The study showed that 32% of the patients suffer currently from psoriasis in the face, skin folds and genital areas--areas very sensitive to topical treatments. Most of the patients (74%) considered their psoriasis as at least moderately severe, and 73% stated not to comply with their current treatment. Lack of efficacy and messiness of the treatment were the main reasons for non-compliance, an element that is especially important for the use in sensitive areas such as the face, skin folds and genitalia.

CONCLUSION

The present survey confirmed that cosmetic acceptability is, together with efficacy and safety, a very important aspect of a successful treatment of psoriasis.