Utilization of outpatient care for psoriasis.
BACKGROUND
Little is known about the utilization of medical services for psoriasis.


OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to quantify the medical resources utilized in the United States for the treatment of psoriasis.


METHODS
By utilizing data tapes from the National Center of Health Statistics we estimated the number of outpatient visits to physicians for psoriasis and the types of drugs prescribed.


RESULTS
Visits to physicians in the United States made principally for psoriasis average 1.5 million per year. Topical steroids are most often prescribed. At less than 10% of visits are systemic therapies (methotrexate, psoralen, oral retinoids) prescribed.


CONCLUSIONS
Although substantial medical resources are utilized in the treatment of psoriasis, the majority of affected persons make less than one visit per year to a physician for treatment.
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Department of Dermatology, Beth Israel Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D005363:Ficusin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006295:Health Resources / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012176:Retinoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D012176:Retinoids; D005363:Ficusin; D008727:Methotrexate