Two Decades Experience of the Psoriasis Disability Index

112

According to population-based European studies, 2–3% of the population are affected by psoriasis. However, commonly accepted and validated diagnostic criteria are lacking. Psoriasis patients, compared to those with other dermatological disorders, are among those who suffer the highest impact on their quality of life, and this affection is comparable to other common diseases. Several lifestyle factors including alcohol and smoking have been associated with psoriasis. There is also evidence for associations with other diseases including cancer. Treatment of psoriasis engenders considerable costs, which should always be taken into account together with the relevant clinical outcome parameters. Prevention of psoriasis is crucial, as in the case of other common chronic diseases where causative treatments are lacking, but has barely been studied.

Section: Frequency In the Populationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemiology of Psoriasis

Schäfer¹

2006

112

“…HRQoL is commonly evaluated by self-assessment questionnaires that are generic [12,13,14], dermatology-specific [15, 16] or disease-specific [17, 18]. Numerous publications have shown that HRQoL in general, as well as disease-specific HRQoL, is significantly impaired in patients suffering from psoriasis [3,15,16,17,18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Numerous publications have shown that HRQoL in general, as well as disease-specific HRQoL, is significantly impaired in patients suffering from psoriasis [3,15,16,17,18]. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Disease Severity, Quality of Life and Health Care in Plaque-Type Psoriasis: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study in Germany

Augustin¹,

Krüger

Radtke³

et al. 2008

237

230

Background: Plaque-type psoriasis produces significant morbidity, has negative effects on patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and represents an economic burden. Objectives: The assessment of disease severity, HRQoL and health care in plaque-type psoriasis in everyday German medical practice. Methods: Details of patients with plaque-type psoriasis were recorded by 48 dermatologists in Germany. During the visit, demographic data, medical history, previous and current treatments, occupational impairment, the current state of the disease (measured by the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index; PASI), overall lesion severity, and HRQoL were evaluated. Results: In total, 1,511 plaque-type psoriasis patients were included. The average PASI score was 12.0. The average Dermatology Life Quality Index score was 8.6. Among the patients with the severest psoriasis (PASI >20), only 45.4% had ever been prescribed systemic treatments. Conclusions: Psoriasis patients have a reduced HRQoL and are not sufficiently treated in practice. A more widespread use of systemic treatment and the definition of treatment goals are essential to improve the standard of care for psoriasis patients.

“…Psoriasis is a skin disease which has substantial socioeconomic bearing for several reasons: (1) it is a highly prevalent disease, affecting about 2–3% of adults in Western populations [1,2,3,4,5,6]; (2) it is a chronic disease which is associated with permanent or frequently recurring, highly visible and symptomatic skin lesions [7, 8]; (3) it leads to significant burden of disease and a reduction in quality of life (QoL) in patients from all countries [9,10,11,12]; (4) many patients with psoriasis are of working age, this results in work day loss, and therefore increased indirect costs (productivity losses). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cost of Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis in Germany: A Multicenter Cost-of-Illness Study

Sohn

Schoeffski

Prinz³

et al. 2006

102

105

Background: There is little information concerning the costs of psoriasis and patients’ quality of life (QoL) in Germany. Objective: To obtain data on the annual costs and QoL(to follow in a further publication) of patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Methods: Between October 2003 and February 2004, six office-based dermatologists and eight dermatology outpatient departments retrospectively documented cost-of-illness data from a societal cost perspective in 184 patients over a 12-month period. Patients were stratified into three subgroups according to their treatment scheme. Results: Mean total costs amounted to € 6,709 per patient and year. The mean PASI score was 18.2 and PBSA 28.9%. Annual costs were highest with € 8,831 in high-need patients. They also showed the highest PASI score (22.2). Conclusion: Moderate to severe plaque psoriasis is associated with tremendous costs, particularly in patients not adequately controlled by conventional therapies, while the outcomes of patients were unsatisfactory.