Psoriasis treatment patterns: results of a cross-sectional survey of dermatologists

Abstract

Objective: The study evaluated community physician prescribing patterns for patients with psoriasis.

Methods: US dermatologists actively practicing general dermatology and treating 10 or more patients with psoriasis/mo were interviewed (n = 90) in April and June 2006 and they recruited 8 to 10 consecutive patients for record review (n = 895, mean age = 46 years, 51% men). Proportion of patients treated with systemic, biologic, or topical therapy as reported by the dermatologist and recorded in the records was assessed by psoriasis severity.

Results: Among patients with severe psoriasis (body surface area affected > 10%), 56% to 63% received systemic therapy (including biologics) or phototherapy and 37% to 44% received topical therapy only. Dermatologists reported prescribing biologics to 41% of patients with severe disease compared with patient records where 27% to 34% of body surface area = 11% to 40% and 36% of body surface area greater than 40% patients received biologics.

Limitations: Because of the small sample, eligibility criteria, and voluntary interview, selection bias may have occurred.

Conclusions: Some dermatologists are prescribing systemic therapy for the majority of their patients with severe psoriasis but a gap in treatment remains for about 40% who received topical therapy alone.