Patient Perspectives of the Impact of Psoriatic Disease on Quality-of-Life in India: Sub-analysis from the Global Psoriasis and Beyond Survey

• Published in: Indian Dermatology Online Journal 2024-03, Vol.15 (2), p.233-241
• Main Authors: Chandrashekar, B S, Nayak, Chitra S, Kar, Bikash R, Salloju, Vineeth
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Arthritis; Care and treatment; Decision-making; Medical research; Medicine, Experimental; Original; patient awareness; plaque psoriasis; Psoriasis; psoriatic arthritis; psoriatic disease; quality-of-life; Surveys
• ISSN: 2229-5178; 2249-5673
• DOI: 10.4103/idoj.idoj_350_23

Psoriatic disease (PsD), including plaque psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), comprises a wide spectrum of manifestations and significantly impacts quality-of-life (QoL). Here, we assessed patients' understanding of PsO and PsA as a systemic disease, its impact on their physical and emotional well-being, and patients' experiences with healthcare professionals for shared treatment decision-making. The Global Psoriatic Disease and Beyond Survey was a cross-sectional, qualitative, online survey conducted on patients with moderate-to-severe PsO with/without concomitant PsA. This analysis reports findings from Indian patients. Of the 261 surveyed patients, 27% with PsO reported concomitant PsA, of whom 89% reported PsA severity as moderately or highly active. Overall, 92% had heard the term "PsD," and 90% knew their condition was a systemic disease. Few were aware of PsD manifestations (palmoplantar psoriasis, 49%; nail psoriasis, 43%; axial symptoms, 40%; PsA, 34%) and comorbidities (cardiovascular disease, 33%; obesity, 30%; diabetes, 28%). Eighty-nine percent of patients indicated their skin problems had a "very-large" to "extreme-large" impact on QoL. Ninety-seven percent of patients experienced discrimination and stigmatization from others. Eighty-one percent of patients were not involved in deciding treatment goals. Few (PsO, 6%; PsA, 9%) patients were dissatisfied with current treatment; ≥50% patients reported incomplete relief of skin symptoms (PsO) and joint symptoms (PsA) as the reason for dissatisfaction. Lack of awareness of the manifestations and comorbidities associated with PsD and poor QoL highlights the need for patient education, shared treatment decision-making, and a multidimensional approach to PsD management in India.