title: Treatment patterns in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis: results from a Belgian cross-sectional study (DISCOVER).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study aimed to evaluate current treatment patterns and achievement of treatment goals in Belgian patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional observational study (DISCOVER) was conducted in 2011 - 2012 in Belgian dermatology centers. Patient data were collected during a single visit and included information on psoriasis management and severity (PASI and DLQI). Treatment success was defined according to the current European consensus treatment goal algorithm.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 556 patients included in the study, 38.1% reported no current treatment or only topicals, 34.2% were being treated with traditional systemics and/or phototherapy, and 29.5% with biologics. Methotrexate (11.7%) was the most commonly prescribed traditional systemic and adalimumab (14.2%) was the most commonly prescribed biologic agent at the time of the study. The percentage of patients achieving treatment goals was significantly higher in biologic-treated patients (73.1%) compared to those using traditional systemics (50.6%), phototherapy (41.1%), or no treatment/only topicals (20.9%; p < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nearly 40% of Belgian patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis in the DISCOVER study were undertreated despite the severity of their disease. Undertreatment of psoriasis remains a problem in Belgium and more effective educational strategies are needed to ensure the best treatment outcome for these patients. [Formula: see text].
authors: a Department of Dermatology , Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp , Edegem , Belgium.
authors: Julien
authors: J
authors: Lambert
authors: b Department of Dermatology, Cliniques Saint-Luc , Université Catholique de Louvain , Brussels , Belgium.
authors: Pierre-Dominique
authors: PD
authors: Ghislain
authors: c Department of Dermatology , Ghent University Hospital , Gent , Belgium.
authors: Jo
authors: J
authors: Lambert
authors: d AbbVie SA/NV , Wavre , Belgium.
authors: Bénédicte
authors: B
authors: Cauwe
authors: d AbbVie SA/NV , Wavre , Belgium.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Van den Enden
mesh_terms: D000068879:Adalimumab / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001530:Belgium; D001688:Biological Products / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D010789:Phototherapy; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001688:Biological Products; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D000068879:Adalimumab; D008727:Methotrexate
keywords: Epidemiological survey; psoriasis treatment; real-life setting; treatment goals