Patient Satisfaction and Quality of Life in Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis

Patients’ Perspectives and Experience of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Thematic Synthesis of Qualitative Studies

“…(8) The psychological impact of psoriasis was characterized by constant worry, a struggle for control and a fear of stress triggering symptoms. (2) Dreading deterioration 5,8,9,22,38,39,41,44,53 "How fast it's going to degenerate…I don't want to be some person who's sitting in a chair somewhere unable to move, and that sometimes makes me a bit anxious." (8) "It's depressing…you can't see it getting any better…just worse and worse and worse… might be a slight improvement, but the general trend…it is very depressing."…”

“…(19) "She's got MS, but she's less disabled than I am, and that's what's annoying. "(8) The failure of practitioners explicitly to acknowledge in consultations the feelings of stigma and lack of control often associated with psoriasis was commonly reported in both primary and Themes, illustrative quotations, and text Contributing studiesHarboring shame and judgement Marked as unhygienic and contagious2,5,7,11,[19][20][21][22]25,26,37,39,42,44,51,53,55 "My relatives do not come to our house…They say your disease is contagious and we might get infected." (11) "People take a step back, it can be horrifying, they give you a funny look, as if you have 3heads.…”

“…(45) "Treating your symptoms takes 2 and a half hours out of each and every day whilst the embarrassment of cleaning up continual masses of fallen 'scales' exhausts me." (5) Deterred by unpalatable or inconvenient treatments2,4,5,9,13,19,22,32,[37][38][39][41][42][43][44][45]49,51,54,55 "Just the thought of taking more medication and taking that long term, that bit worries me." (9) "It is just not natural" and "I don't want this in my body.…”

Highlights of the updated Dutch evidence‐ and consensus‐based guideline on psoriasis 2017

“…Only about half of patients with psoriasis are satisfied with their current treatment . Treatment satisfaction is highest in patients treated with biologics compared with systemic therapy, phototherapy and topical therapy …”

Which is worse in psoriasis - skin or joints?

“…In the current study as well, QoL was significantly impaired in both PsO and PsA as compared to controls. These observations emphasize the need for advocacy and education, so that these patients have access to effective treatment options …”