The impact of psoriasis on quality of life - Results of a 1998 National Psoriasis Foundation Patient-Membership Survey

Background: Psoriasis can have a profound impact on a patient's quality of life. Objectives: To assess patients' perspectives on the impact of psoriasis on their lifestyle and emotional wellbeing and the social ramifications of liv ing with the disease; to determine the range of therapies available; and to ascertain patients' satisfaction with the management of their disease. Design: A 4-page, self-administered questionnaire was mailed on July 13 and 14, 1998, to the entire membership of the National Psoriasis Foundation (N =40350), and followed by a telephone survey of responders with severe psori asis. Main Outcome Measures: Patients' perspectives on the psychosocial impact of psoriasis and the effectiveness of the management of their disease. Results: Of the 40350 questionnaires mailed out, a response rate of 43% was realized. The most frequent symp-toms experienced by the mail-survey respo ndents were scaling (94%), itching (79%), and skin redness (71%); 39% repor ted that psoriasis covered 10% or more of their bodies. A total of 6194 pat ients with severe psoriasis were entered into the database for the telephon e survey. Of these, 79% reported that psoriasis had a negative impact on th eir lives, 40% felt frustrated with the ineffectiveness of their current th erapies, and 32% reported that treatment was not aggressive enough. Conclusions: The unprecedented response to the survey provides compelling e vidence that individuals with psoriasis believe that the disease has a prof ound emotional and social as well as physical impact on their quality of li fe. Many patients with psoriasis, particularly those with severe disease, a re frustrated with the management of their disease and by the perceived ine ffectiveness of their therapies. Physicians may need to improve communicati on with their patients and should reevaluate their management of psoriasis.