Determinants of quality life of patients with psoriasis treated with biologics

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess the quality life of patients with psoriasis treated with biologics, and to analyze the various factors that determine it. Methods: The cross-sectional study was realized with 117 patients at the Centre for Biologic Therapy in Slovakia. The factors analyzed were: Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), The Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ), General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI), localization of skin changes, duration of the disease, length of use of biologics, BMI. Results: Mean score of DLQI was 9.03 (SD = 6.59, range = 2-23). DLQI significantly correlates with PASI (r = 0.347), length of use of biologics (r =-0.286), illness perception (r = 0.557) and anxiety (r = 0.338). Hierarchical regression analysis showed that PASI (β = 0.252) and illness perception (β = 2.209) were significant predictors of a patient's quality life. Conclusions: The findings of study indicate that the quality life of psoriatic patients treated with biologics is determined by the disease severity and illness perception. Therefore it is very important to include a psychosocial dimension (assessment, effective intervention) in the care of these patients.