Epidemiology and prescribed treatments in childhood psoriasis: a survey among medical professionals.

INTRODUCTION

A study was conducted to explore the epidemiology of childhood psoriasis in general practitioners (GPs) and dermatological practice in the region of our academic medical centre. The treatments used by GPs and dermatologists in juvenile psoriasis were investigated.

METHODS

A questionnaire was sent to 229 GPs and 73 dermatologists. Questions were addressed about the prevalence of childhood psoriasis and treatments used in this disease.

RESULTS

Seventy-three questionnaires were completed. The response rate was 17.0% for GPs and 46.6% for dermatologists. Almost one-third of all GPs have seen one or more patients with juvenile psoriasis under the age of 11 in their own patient population, in contrast to more than 80% of the dermatologists. Extrapolating the results implied an estimated prevalence of childhood psoriasis of 0.17% in the overall Dutch population. Topical corticosteroids were used by 46.2% of GPs and by 91.2% of dermatologists. Vitamin D analogues were prescribed by GPs and dermatologists in 15.4% and 73.5% of cases, respectively. Systemic medication for juvenile psoriasis was only used by 20.6% of dermatologists.

CONCLUSIONS

Calculated for the Dutch population, there should be approximately 27,500 children with psoriasis in The Netherlands. Topical corticosteroids were the first-choice treatment for both GPs and dermatologists, whereas vitamin D analogues were used as a second-choice topical therapy. Systemic medication was only sparsely prescribed by dermatologists.