The association between psoriasis and health-related quality of life, work productivity, and healthcare resource use in Brazil

Abstract: Background: Psoriasis is a chronic, immune mediated inflammatory condition that affects a significant amount of the global population. Yet geographic variability in the consequences of psoriasis warrants region-level analyses. Objective: The current study contributes to the psoriasis outcomes literature by offering a comprehensive assessment of the humanistic and economic burden in Brazil. Methods: The 2012 Brazil National Health and Wellness Survey (N=12,000) was used to assess health-related quality of life (Short Form-12, version 2), work productivity, and healthcare resource use associated with experiencing psoriasis vs. no psoriasis, along with varying levels of psoriasis severity. Results: A total of 210 respondents reported diagnosis of psoriasis (N=157, 42, and 11 reporting mild, moderate, and severe psoriasis, respectively). Compared with controls, respondents with psoriasis reported diminished mental component summary scores and health utilities, as well as increased presenteeism, activity impairment, and physician visits over the past six months, adjusting for covariates. Among those with psoriasis, physical health decreased as psoriasis severity increased. Although work productivity and healthcare resource utilization did not differ with psoriasis severity, the high rates of productivity loss (e.g. 45.5% presenteeism in the severe psoriasis group) suggest an economic burden. Study limitations: Cost analyses were not performed, and cross-sectional patient-reported data limit causal conclusions and may reflect reporting biases. Conclusions: Nevertheless, these results suggest a significant burden to patients with psoriasis across both humanistic and economic outcomes. The association between psoriasis and mental health aspects and health utilities were particularly strong and exceeded what would be considered clinically meaningful.

Intervenções educacionais e psicológicas para psoríase: uma revisão sistemática / Educational and psychological interventions on psoriasis: a systematic review

INTRODUÇÃO: Psoríase em placas é uma dermatose crônica que tem um impacto importante nas dimensões social e psicológica nos pacientes. Estudos anteriores sugeriram que intervenções educacionais e psicológicas podem ser efetivas no gerenciamento da psoríase. OBJETIVOS: Examinar as intervenções educativas e psicológicas para psoríase em período de 20 anos (1992 a 2012). MÉTODO: revisão sistemática de literatura nas bases de dados: PubMed/Medline, PsycInfo (APA), ProQuest e Pepsic. RESULTADOS: 1359 artigos foram primeiramente selecionados por busca computadorizada, dos quais 36 foram analisados por dois revisores. Sete (n=7) estudos foram posteriormente selecionados para análise detalhada, sendo um artigo (n=1) de intervenção educativa individual, dois (n=2) envolvendo intervenções psicológicas e quatro (n=4) programas de gerenciamento de sintomas. CONCLUSÃO: Embora a literatura aponte para um crescente número de estudos de intervenção para psoríase e variáveis psicológicas, são necessários estudos de maior rigor para ajudar os pacientes a lidar com a doença.(AU)

BACKGROUND: Plaque psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder that has a major impact on patient´s social and psychological abilities. Preliminary studies have suggested that educative and psychological interventions may be effective in the management of psoriasis. OBJECTIVES: To examine the educative and psychological interventions for psoriasis in the last 20 years (1992-2012). METHODS: A systematic review of literature was conducted in medical and psychological databases: PubMed / Medline, PsycInfo (APA), ProQuest and Pepsic. RESULTS: 1359 articles were first selected by computerized search, from which 36 were examined by two revisers. Seven studies (n=7) were selected to a more in depth analysis, one (n=1) was a single educative intervention, two (n=2) involved psychological interventions and four (n=4) were symptom management programmes. CONCLUSION: Although the recent literature shows an increase number of interventions targeting psoriasis and psychosocial variables, stronger studies are necessary to help patients deal with the disease.(AU)