Burden of Psoriasis as Reported in a Cross-Sectional Study: Association of Psoriasis Severity with Health-Related Quality of Life, Depression, and Work Productivity

Abstract

Background A significant gap exists in how psoriasis severity is related to validated patient-reported outcomes (PROs), which are critical in characterizing disease burden. Objective Determine the association between psoriasis severity and PROs, including health-related quality of life (HRQoL), depression, and work productivity, from patients’ perspectives. Methods An online survey using validated PRO instruments was administered in 2013. PROs included the Dermatology Life Quality Index, Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptoms-Self-Report (16 items) (QIDS-SR16), and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire-Psoriasis. Results The survey was completed by 1109 patients, 42% of whom had psoriatic arthritis. Respondents reported worse HRQoL and work productivity impairment with greater psoriasis severity ( p < 0.05). Similarly, there was a greater proportion of participants with moderate-or-greater depressive symptoms (QIDS-SR16 total score) among patients with increasing psoriasis severity ( p < 0.05). Conclusion Greater levels of impairment in HRQoL, work productivity, and depressive symptoms were associated with increased psoriasis severity.