What characterizes the severity of psoriasis? Results from an epidemiological study of over 3,300 patients in the Iberian region.
BACKGROUND
Understanding the epidemiology of moderate-to-severe psoriasis is essential for its management.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the epidemiological characteristics of patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis.


METHODS
Cross-sectional, observational epidemiological study conducted in Spain and Portugal. Data were collected by 332 dermatologists for >or=10 consecutive presenting patients.


RESULTS
Based on body surface area (BSA) and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) criteria, moderate-to-severe psoriasis was confirmed in >or=79.3% of patients (n = 3,320). Preexisting comorbid conditions included psoriatic arthropathy (13%), dyslipidemia (14.1%) and hypertension (20.2%). The mean BSA involvement was 23% (95% confidence interval, CI: 22.2-23.3%), and the mean PASI score was 14.3 (95% CI: 13.9-14.6%). During the 2 years prior to assessment, 97.0% of patients had received topical treatments, whereas 31.3% had not received systemic treatment or phototherapy. The median annual cost of treatment was 825 EUR.


CONCLUSIONS
Moderate-to-severe psoriasis is accurately diagnosed, but inadequately treated in many patients in Spain and Portugal.
García-Diez
Amaro
A
Department of Dermatology, Hospital Universitario La Princesa, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
Foraster
Carlos Ferrandiz
CF
Sebastián
Francisco Vanaclocha
FV
Tudela
Luis Lizán
LL
Llach
Xavier Badia
XB
Fernández
Guillermo Sellers
GS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011174:Portugal / Q000453:epidemiology; D011379:Prognosis; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology