Perception of psoriasis treatment in the outpatient setting: survey of patients and their prescribing physicians

Abstract

Background: Patients’ perception of disease management can influence compliance to treatment and thus affect outcome.

Objective: To survey patients and physicians on their perceptions of biologic therapy for treating psoriasis in an outpatient setting.

Methods: The subjective impact of intravenous treatment of severe psoriasis on patients and physicians in the outpatient setting was determined via two surveys.

Results: Between September and November 2014, 24 dermatologists and 90 patients were surveyed. Treatment with biologic agents in the outpatient setting was associated with a high level of patient satisfaction: 93.3% of patients considered their psoriasis well controlled and 46.1% reported complete control. Patients highly valued the feeling of greater disease control (72.2%), regular follow-up (66.7%) and rapid improvement of psoriasis (58.9%) when attending an outpatient setting. Other positive aspects of outpatient treatment were control of other health issues and perceived improvements in quality of life (QoL). Outpatient attendance was high; with 90% of patients keeping scheduled appointments and 79.2% of physicians acknowledged that they were able to monitor their patients’ condition more closely.

Conclusion: Administration of treatment in an outpatient setting may provide a feeling of improved QoL and disease control.

Keywords:

• Psoriasis vulgaris
• management
• quality of life
• survey

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Anna Battershill who provided medical writing assistance on behalf of Springer Healthcare Communications. This assistance was funded by Merck Sharp and Dohme (Spain).

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Dr J. M. Carrascosa has received consulting fees from Merck Sharp & Dohme; has acted as a board member for Novartis, Janssen, Amgen and Eli Lily; has received speaker fees from Janssen, Pfizer, and Novartis; has received education fees from Celgene and Leo Pharma; and has received travel funds from Merck Sharp & Dohme, Novartis and Abbvie. Dr de la Cueva has received consultancy fees from Abbvie, Pfizer, Novartis, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Leo Pharma, Merck Sharp & Dohme and Gebro; and has received speaker fees from Merck Sharp & Dohme, Pfizer, Abbvie, Janssen, Novartis, Eli Lilly, Leo Pharma, Gebro, Menarini and Astellas. Dr. P. Herranz has received fees as a consultant, speaker and/or investigator in clinical trials by Merck Serono, Pfizer, Novartis, Abbot laboratories, and Sanofi-Aventis. Dr Labandeira has received consulting fee or honorarium from Merck Sharp & Dohme; consultancy fees from Abbott and Abbvie; speaker fees from Merck Sharp & Dohme; education funds from Merck Sharp & Dohme; and travel funds from Jannsen and Pfizer. Dr Notario has received consultancy fees or honorarium and travel funds from Merck Sharp & Dohme; has acted as a board member for Janssen, Pfizer and Novartis; has received speakers fees from Janssen, Pfizer, Abbvie and Novartis; and has received travel funds from Janssen and Abbvie.

Funding

Merck Sharp and Dohme (Spain) provided financial support for this project.