Unmet Needs in Psoriasis Patients

J Drugs Dermatol. 2022 Aug 1;21(8):839-844. doi: 10.36849/JDD.6589.

Abstract

Background: Psoriasis can greatly impact patients' quality of life. The introduction of new treatments has improved treatment outcomes, but treatment gaps may still exist.

Objective: Identify unmet treatment needs in patients with psoriasis.

Methods: Participants aged 18 years or older, with an Amazon Mechanical Turk account, who reported diagnosis of psoriasis and correctly answered an attention check question were included. Results were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results: Of the 417 participants who met study inclusion criteria, 51.1% were female, and 39.3% were 31-40 years of age; 61.2% reported mild, 25.4% moderate, and 13.4% severe psoriasis. Most (74.8%) were currently under treatment; half (51.6%) were mostly or completely satisfied with treatment, while 24.5% were slightly or not at all satisfied. Respondents were most satisfied with topical (59.5%), followed by oral (46%), and injectable treatments (19.9%). Most (78.7%) slightly or strongly felt there should be more cost-effective options. Gaps in current psoriasis treatment options included more affordable topical and oral treatments that work faster and require less frequent use.

Limitations: The use of an English survey and Amazon Mechanical Turk precludes certain populations from this study. Participants were not asked to provide their current form of psoriasis treatment.

Conclusions: Despite advances in psoriasis treatment, there remains a desire for more effective, faster, longer acting, and less costly, more accessible treatments. J Drugs Dermatol. 2022;21(8):839-844. doi:10.36849/JDD.6589.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Psoriasis* / diagnosis
  • Psoriasis* / drug therapy
  • Quality of Life*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Treatment Outcome