European patient perspectives on the impact of psoriasis: the EUROPSO patient membership survey.
BACKGROUND
EUROPSO (European Federation of Psoriasis Patient Associations) undertook a Europe-wide survey examining quality of life and patients' perspectives on treatment and their disease.


OBJECTIVE
To explore patients' perspectives of psoriasis on their lifestyle and well-being and to gain insight into the effectiveness of and satisfaction with currently available therapies for psoriasis.


METHODS
Self-administered questionnaires (n = 50,500) were mailed to members of psoriasis patient associations in Belgium, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands.


RESULTS
Responses were received from 18,386 patients (36%), of whom 17,990 had psoriasis. Mean age at onset of psoriasis was 30.5 years, 59% of respondents had self-reported moderate to severe psoriasis (3% or greater body surface area involvement) and 30% had been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. The mean Psoriasis Disability Index score was 12.2 (25% of the maximum score), increasing to 21 (44%) in patients with more than 10% body surface area involvement. The greatest impact was on activities of daily living, especially affecting clothing choice, bathing routine and sporting activities. Overall, 77% replied that psoriasis was a problem or a significant problem. While patients were satisfied with the information and care from their dermatologist (40% highly satisfied), available treatment options were less satisfactory, with over 70% reporting only low to moderate satisfaction.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the largest survey of people with psoriasis in Europe and shows that psoriasis has a profound impact on quality of life.
Dubertret
L
L
Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Clinic Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany. louis.dubertret@free.fr
Mrowietz
U
U
Ranki
A
A
van de Kerkhof
P C M
PC
Chimenti
S
S
Lotti
T
T
Schäfer
G
G
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003879:Dermatologic Agents