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Health-related quality of life in patients with psoriasis: a systematic review of the European literature

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Abstract

Purpose

To summarize the data published over the last 5 years in the European Union related to the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with psoriasis and its conditioning factors.

Methods

International electronic databases and gray literature were searched to identify studies conducted on patient-reported outcomes in patients with psoriasis, published in Europe between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2013. Bibliographic references were hand-searched. Editorials, letters, commentaries, opinion papers, and studies related to specific treatments were excluded.

Results

A total of 46 studies met the inclusion criteria, 27 of them reporting data related to HRQoL or its conditioning factors. The publications reviewed highlighted the substantial negative impact of psoriasis on patients’ HRQoL. Most of the studies that analyzed the relationship between HRQoL and sociodemographic characteristics described a relation between gender (female) and age (young patients) and poorer HRQoL. An association between HRQoL impairment and visibility of skin lesions and disease activity and severity was also established. Skin discomfort and pruritus were identified as elements that negatively influenced HRQoL. Use of biological agents had a positive impact on HRQoL and on treatment satisfaction, a better HRQoL being seen in patients treated with systemic therapies and biologics.

Conclusions

HRQoL has been broadly addressed in patients with psoriasis in Europe. Several disease- and patient-related factors contributed to its deterioration. Therapeutic measures with proven effectiveness in controlling disease symptoms and reducing PASI should be considered in patients with a severe disease who have a poorer HRQoL.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Novartis, Barcelona, Spain

    Montse Obradors, Carles Blanch & Montse Figueras

  2. Outcomes’10, Castellón, Spain

    Marta Comellas & Luis Lizan

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  1. Montse Obradors
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  2. Carles Blanch
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Correspondence to Luis Lizan.

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The sponsor of the study, Novartis Farmacéutica S.A., assumed all remuneration. Montse Obradors and Montse Figueras worked at Novartis Farmacéutica S.A. Silvia Paz, Marta Comellas and Luis Lizán worked for an independent research entity that received remuneration for the development of the original research as well as for writing this manuscript. The authors are responsible for the content of the manuscript and its submission.

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Obradors, M., Blanch, C., Comellas, M. et al. Health-related quality of life in patients with psoriasis: a systematic review of the European literature. Qual Life Res 25, 2739–2754 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-016-1321-7

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