Communication and Therapy Planning for Patients of Reproductive Age Under Immunomodulatory Treatments for Psoriasis or Psoriatic Arthritis-Survey of the German National Psoriasis Registry PsoBest.

During the systemic treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis in patients of reproductive age, contraindications and therapeutic peculiarities must be taken into account. Doctor-patient communication is crucial for therapy conduct and compliance. This survey among male and female patients from the German psoriasis registry, PsoBest, aims to provide real-world evidence on communication and patient needs for those of reproductive age (18-55). In total, 404 patients were eligible for the analysis (254 m, 150 f), including 39 patients currently wishing to conceive (20 m, 19 f). Patients with and without the desire to have children received similar systemic therapy. In most cases, treatment was not adapted when patients expressed a desire to have children (85.9% m, 79.5% f). Only 38.3% of men and 49.9% of women had been informed about options for conception during or before systemic therapy, mainly by dermatologists (77.4% m, 84.6% f). The majority of patients retrieved additional information about the wish to conceive and medications from the internet and other media. This survey emphasizes the importance of open communication between patients and physicians regarding family planning and therapy options. Physicians need to broach the topic of family planning, conception and pregnancy with patients and support with evidence-based information to enable comprehensive medical decision making and safe therapy choices.