title: Even well-controlled psoriasis patients have unmet treatment needs regardless of disease severity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Though psoriasis is chronic and recurring, current options can help many patients achieve good disease control. New treatments could provide greater improvement in objective disease, but it is not clear that there is room for improving subjective outcomes, particularly for patients who are already "well-controlled."
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To analyze treatment satisfaction of well-controlled patients with psoriasis in two patient populations of very different disease severity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with well-controlled psoriasis on topicals (mild psoriasis) only or on biologics (moderate-to-severe psoriasis) were queried by telephone about perceptions of disease control, improvement level, overall treatment satisfaction, and consideration for trying new treatments. Satisfaction scores and feedback were analyzed to assess treatment type and satisfaction level associations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of patients, regardless of disease severity, would consider trying new treatments for psoriasis, though patients with mild psoriasis were less satisfied with their disease control, level of improvement, and overall treatment. Patient feedback revealed widespread treatment dissatisfaction, non-adherence, and inconvenience.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The patient population was from one university setting.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  16% of patients with psoriasis meet study definition for "well-controlled" disease. Less than 20% of these well- controlled patients with psoriasis are satisfied with their current level of control and clearance and would not consider trying new treatments, suggesting the majority of well-controlled patients, regardless of disease severity, still have unmet needs. Stronger patient-physician communication may contribute to patient-based, comprehensive care in concordance with a health system that is headed towards financial incentives for better patient satisfaction.
authors.forename: Toral S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Vaidya
authors.forename: Kathryn L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.affiliation: Wake Forest School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Steven R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Feldman
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001688:Biological Products / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010465:Perception; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001688:Biological Products; D003879:Dermatologic Agents