Perspectives of Japanese patients on psoriatic disease burden: Results from "Psoriasis and Beyond," the Global Psoriatic Disease Survey.

Psoriatic disease (PsD) is a chronic disease affecting skin (psoriasis) and joints (psoriatic arthritis, PsA) that has a significant impact on patients' quality of life (QOL). We report findings from the Japanese subgroup of patients included in Psoriasis and Beyond: The Global Psoriatic Disease Survey, a cross-sectional, quantitative online survey of patients with self-reported, healthcare professional (HCP)-diagnosed, moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, with or without PsA. Eligible patients who were recruited online completed a 25-min internet-based survey in Japanese. We assessed patients' understanding of the systemic nature of PsD, disease burden, perception towards their HCPs, treatment expectations, and satisfaction with care. Of the 148 patients, 74% were females. In total, 65% of patients were aware of the systemic nature of their disease. A minority of patients (27%) were aware that PsA was related to their psoriasis, and 30% and 42% of patients were unaware of any manifestations and comorbidities, respectively, related to PsD. Overall, 21% of patients reported that their disease has a "very large" to "extremely large" impact on their QOL (assessed by Dermatology Life Quality Index score), while the majority (61%) reported a "small" effect or "no effect" at all on QOL. Patients experienced stigma and discrimination and had a negative impact on relationships due to PsD. More patients with psoriasis and concomitant PsA (66%) were satisfied with their current treatment than those with psoriasis alone (46%). Overall, 41% of patients were not involved in deciding their treatment goals. These results suggest that Japanese patients may not be fully aware of the systemic nature of PsD, its manifestations and comorbidities. While these patients were somewhat satisfied with their current treatment, they were only occasionally consulted in deciding treatment goals. Policy measures are required to address the stigma and discrimination experienced by patients. Increased patient participation in their care supports shared decision-making and enhanced treatment outcomes.

Patient Perspectives on Psoriatic Disease Burden: Results from the Global Psoriasis and Beyond Survey.

BACKGROUND: Patients' understanding of the systemic nature of psoriatic disease (PsD) remains insufficiently explored. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess patients' understanding of PsD, associated comorbidities, disease burden, and relationships with healthcare professionals (HCPs). METHODS: Psoriasis and Beyond was a cross-sectional, quantitative online survey conducted in patients with a self-reported, physician-given diagnosis of moderate to severe psoriasis (body surface area [BSA] >5% to <10%, affecting sensitive and/or prominent body parts or BSA ≥10%) at its worst, with/without psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Patients were recruited through online panels by the Institut de Publique Sondage d'Opinion Secteur (Ipsos SA) and patient advocacy groups. RESULTS: Overall, 4,978 respondents with psoriasis completed the online survey from 20 countries across Australia, Asia, Europe, and the Americas; 30% of patients also reported having concomitant PsA. Overall, 69% of patients with psoriasis had heard that their disease was part of a systemic disease, and 60% had heard of the term "psoriatic disease." Despite this, recognition of common manifestations and comorbidities associated with PsD was low. Among psoriasis-only patients (n = 3,490), 38% screened positive using the Psoriasis Epidemiology Screening Tool (PEST), indicative of potential PsA. Overall, 48% of patients reported that their disease had a very large to extremely large effect on quality of life (QoL; Dermatology Life Quality Index [DLQI] score, 11-30); only 13% of patients reported no impact of the disease on QoL (DLQI, 0-1). Most patients had experienced stigma and discrimination (82%) and a negative impact on relationships (81%) in their lives. Overall, 59% of patients were not involved in deciding their treatment goals: 58% of all treated patients (n = 4,757) and 64% of treated patients with concomitant PsA (n = 1,409) were satisfied with their current treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight that patients may not fully understand the systemic nature of their disease, were frequently uninvolved in deciding treatment goals, and were often not satisfied with their current treatment. Increasing patients' participation in their care can facilitate shared decision-making between patients and HCPs, which may result in better treatment adherence and patient outcomes. Furthermore, these data indicate that policies should be implemented to protect against stigma and discrimination, which are commonly experienced by patients with psoriasis.

Impact of Psoriatic Disease on Quality of Life: Interim Results of a Global Survey.

INTRODUCTION: Psoriatic disease (PsD) is a chronic systemic disorder affecting numerous body areas, including skin and joints. Patients' perspectives regarding understanding their disease and dialogue with healthcare professionals (HCPs) on treatment strategies is becoming increasingly important in the holistic management of PsD. The study aim was to determine patients' understanding of the systemic nature of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and the associated burden of living with these diseases. The relationship between patient and HCP was also evaluated. METHODS: Psoriasis and Beyond: The Global Psoriatic Disease Survey was a cross-sectional, quantitative online survey, conducted in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis with or without concomitant PsA. Here, we report interim analysis results. RESULTS: A total of 1678 respondents from 11 countries were included. Overall, 31% of patients with psoriasis reported concomitant PsA, 80% of whom considered their PsA severity as moderately or highly active. In total, 63% of patients had heard the term "psoriatic disease". Few patients were aware of psoriasis manifestations (PsA, 29%; axial symptoms, 18%) or comorbidities (obesity, 21%; cardiovascular disease, 18%). Among patients with psoriasis and concomitant PsA, 70% reported swollen and tender joints, especially of the finger(s) and/or toe(s). Most patients (84%) experienced stigma and discrimination and reported a negative impact of their disease on work, emotions, and relationships. Overall, 42% of patients had never discussed treatment goals with their HCP. Patients who were dissatisfied with their current treatment (psoriasis, 15%; psoriasis with PsA, 14%) reported incomplete relief of skin symptoms (57%) and joint symptoms (45%) as primary reasons for dissatisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Despite many patients having heard the term "psoriatic disease", the majority were unaware of the systemic nature and increased risk of comorbidities associated with PsD. This interim analysis highlights the need for patient education, productive patient-HCP dialogue, and shared decision-making in optimal disease management.