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Patient perceptions of clear/almost clear skin in moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis: results of the Clear About Psoriasis worldwide survey
Author(s) -
Armstrong A.,
Jarvis S.,
Boehncke W.H.,
Rajagopalan M.,
FernándezPeñas P.,
Romiti R.,
Bewley A.,
Vaid B.,
Huneault L.,
Fox T.,
Sodha M.,
Warren R.B.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of the european academy of dermatology and venereology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.655
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1468-3083
pISSN - 0926-9959
DOI - 10.1111/jdv.15065
Subject(s) - psoriasis , medicine , dermatology
Background Therapeutic advances have made the achievement of clear/almost clear skin possible for many patients with moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis. Objective To determine patient perceptions of the impact of psoriasis and of attaining clear/almost clear skin. Methods Global survey of patients with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis. Results A total of 8338 patients from 31 countries participated. The majority (57%) had not achieved self‐assessed clear/almost clear skin with their current therapy, and 56% of those who had not met this goal believed it would be impossible to do so. Among the patients who had clear/almost clear skin, 73% had not initiated their current treatment until >1 year after psoriasis diagnosis, and 28% had to wait >5 years. Eighty‐four percent of all respondents experienced discrimination and/or humiliation due to psoriasis, and many reported negative effects on work, intimate relationships, sleep and mental health. Patients without clear/almost clear skin reported that such achievement would open new possibilities, such as swimming (58%), a wider choice of clothing (40%), and meeting new people (26%). A limitation of this study, as with any survey‐based research, is that selection and recall bias may have been present. Additionally, respondent definitions of clear/almost clear skin were subjective and may have varied. Conclusion Despite the importance of clear/almost clear skin to psoriasis patients, most are still not achieving it, and many are unaware it is possible.