Dataset Information

Unmet Personal Patient Needs in Psoriasis Patients with Low Disease Activity on Adalimumab, Etanercept or Ustekinumab.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Personal treatment goals have been systematically investigated in psoriasis patients with active but not in controlled disease.

Objectives

To explore patient needs in psoriasis patients with controlled disease due to biologic therapy with adalimumab, etanercept or ustekinumab.

Methods

Treatment needs in patients on adalimumab, etanercept or ustekinumab with a stable low disease activity for ≥ 6 months and preferably a Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) < 5, were explored with the Patient Needs Questionnaire (PNQ). Goal importance was expressed as overall mean importance score, percentage of patients that reported a goal to be quite/very important, and per PNQ subscale. Data were analysed separately for treatment, gender, age group (< 50 vs. ≥ 50 years), biologic naivety and willingness to participate in a pragmatic dose-reduction strategy.

Results

Sixty-five patients were included. 'To be free of itching', 'to be healed of all skin defects' and 'to have confidence in the therapy' were rated quite/very important in 78.5% of the patients, followed by 'to have no fear the disease will progress' (75.4%) and 'to get better skin quickly' (75.4%). Goals related to the subscale 'confidence in healing' were still of high importance in controlled disease. Least importance was attributed towards social goals. For female patients, it was significantly more important than for males to 'feel less depressed' and 'be comfortable showing yourself more in public'.

Conclusions

Psoriasis patients with controlled disease still report substantial treatment needs, with high importance ascribed to confidence in healing. To apply personalized medicine, treatment needs should be explored on an individual level.

SUBMITTER: van Muijen ME

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8128951 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:Studies on the psychosocial and emotional burden of psoriasis have been extensive; however, there is limited knowledge and awareness of patients' attitude and behavior towards psoriasis treatment. To understand psoriasis patients' attitude and behavior towards treatment of psoriasis, especially those treated with biologics, a multi-stage study qualitative and quantitative methodology was conducted among psoriasis patients. An online survey was conducted with 45 moderate-to-severe psoriasis patients each in Australia, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan for 20 min. This was followed by qualitative in-depth interviews conducted among psoriasis patients in Australia (n = 3) and Japan (n = 2) for 60 min. All of the findings were workshopped with key opinion leaders and patient advisory groups to identify potential solutions addressing patients' unmet needs. Five common insights were identified across the region, highlighting patients' attitude and behavior towards psoriasis treatment, especially for those treated with biologics. These insights comprised the following: (i) one of the key factors driving patients' treatment choice included their ability to enjoy clear skin for longer period (68%); (ii) bio-maintenance patients had a higher expectation (4.9 months) of how long their skin could stay clear, compared to their pre-biologics initiation days (2.9 months); (iii) once a good response is achieved, bio-maintenance patients were more concerned about symptoms returning (44%) than development of side-effects (19%); (iv) bio-maintenance patients felt psychologically and physically affected during flare-ups despite being on more efficacious treatment; and (v) bio-maintenance patients still felt they were at risk of flare-ups (4.5/7), almost similar risk perception as non-biologics patients (4.9/7). Findings from this study showed that psoriasis patients look for treatment with the least risk of flare-ups so that they were able to enjoy clear skin for a long time.