[Psoriasis in children and adolescents. A nationwide physician survey on the healthcare situation in Germany].

BACKGROUND

The aim of the present scientific study is the description of the current healthcare situation for children and adolescents with psoriasis in Germany.

METHODS

Data on psoriasis in children and adolescents (≤ 18) was obtained from randomly selected dermatologists and pediatricians throughout Germany. The participating doctors could include 1-3 patients from the year 2009 into the study.

RESULTS

The response rate to the survey was 9.7% for dermatologists and 1.9% for pediatricians. The study shows that psoriatic children and adolescents (n = 244) are treated primarily by dermatologists. With regard to the therapy approaches, 79.9% of the children and adolescents were treated with topical agents, 7.5% with physical modalities and 5.0% with systemic agents.

CONCLUSION

Psoriasis in childhood and adolescence is treated predominantly by dermatologists. Most of the patients were treated with topical corticosteroids. Childhood psoriasis is still a therapeutic challenge and further studies about the healthcare situation are necessary.