Patient satisfaction with psoriasis therapies: an update and introduction to biologic therapy.
BACKGROUND
Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated skin condition that often requires lifelong treatment. Many patients report dissatisfaction with traditional nonbiologic therapies because they are ineffective for their psoriasis, are associated with side effects, or impact negatively on quality of life.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this article is to review the effect on patient quality of life of traditional nonbiologic psoriasis therapies and to discuss the impact of biologic psoriasis therapies on patient satisfaction.


METHODS
A review of the literature is presented.


RESULTS
Traditional nonbiologic psoriasis therapies can negatively impact quality of life due to a variety of factors including inconvenience and toxicity. Biologic agents have been developed that target the immunopathogenesis of psoriasis. Based on favorable efficacy and safety results in clinical trials, some of these agents are now approved for clinical use. Evidence suggests that patients receiving biologic therapies experience significant improvements in health-related quality of life.


CONCLUSIONS
Biologic agents offer new hope for patients with psoriasis that their chronic condition can be controlled in a manner that improves their quality of life and may lead to high levels of satisfaction with their treatment.
Finlay
Andrew Y
AY
Department of Dermatology, Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff University, CF14 4XN Cardiff, Wales, U.K. finlayay@cardiff.ac.uk
Ortonne
Jean-Paul
JP
D000077944:Alefacept; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D001691:Biological Therapy; D002908:Chronic Disease; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068800:Etanercept; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010789:Phototherapy; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D000077944:Alefacept; D000068800:Etanercept; C472181:efalizumab