Treatment burden and the perspectives of patients with psoriasis using topical treatments: results from a national survey of adults with psoriasis in the United States

Abstract

Background: Topical treatments are the foundation for patients with psoriasis; however, adherence can be limited by patient preferences and treatment burden.

Methods: The Harris Poll conducted an online survey of US patients with psoriasis who use prescription topical therapy to examine their preferences and perspectives on topical treatments.

Results: Among patients with psoriasis who use topical treatment (n = 507), most participants described their psoriasis symptoms as mild (31%) or moderate (59%). The body areas most often reported to be affected by psoriasis were the scalp, elbows, legs, intertriginous areas, arms, and knees. Participants reported psoriasis affecting the scalp (39%), elbows (20%), and legs (excluding knees; 19%) caused the greatest impact on quality of life. Most participants (76%) preferred topical therapies to treat their psoriasis, while 20% preferred pills, and 4% preferred injections. The most common product attributes that participants wanted in a topical psoriasis treatment and that would help them to continue to use the treatment were: improvement in plaques (68%), itch relief (68%), and easy to apply (63%).

Conclusion: The respondents to this survey reported that they prefer topical treatments to pills or injections (76%) and most (89%) reported they are interested in trying a new topical treatment.

Keywords: Plaque psoriasis; disease burden; topical therapy.