title: Expert report on psoriasis: Spanish dermatologists' opinions on the use of biologic agents to manage moderate to severe psoriasis in adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although national guidelines on biologic agents for treating moderate to severe psoriasis in adults have been published in several countries, increased knowledge on the practical aspects of their implementation is required.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to survey Spanish dermatologists to determine their expert opinions on practical aspects of psoriasis treatment with biologics.
  
  
  METHODS
  An online survey was sent to 309 dermatologists who belong to the Spanish Psoriasis Group and/or the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV). The questionnaire was designed specifically for the study and included items on various aspects of the treatment of psoriasis in clinical practice. Six coordinators in different geographic areas worked together to write the final expert report.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate was 97% (300 returned questionnaires). The biologics preferred, or considered to be the best option (median score 4 out of 4 points) by respondents, were infliximab for its short-term efficacy (74% of the respondents) and rapid onset of action (78%); ustekinumab for convenience of administration (73%); and etanercept because of its suitability for cyclic treatment (71%), safety in long-term use (72%), and the possibility of temporary interruption of treatment under certain circumstances (76%). Etanercept was assigned the highest evaluations for safety and expected survival time (scored 5 on each item by 49% and 33% of the respondents, respectively). Thirty percent of the respondents considered that clinical guidelines contain important information for therapeutic management of psoriasis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides a unique perspective on the opinions of a large sample of dermatologists as regards current treatment of psoriasis with biologics in Spain.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain. lpuig@santpau.cat
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Puig
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: de la Cueva
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Linares
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Suarez
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Velasco
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vidal
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zulaica
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: García-Calvo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001685:Biological Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003880:Dermatology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D001685:Biological Factors