Psoriasis in Norway: A Prescription-based Registry Study of Incidence and Prevalence

Epidemiological data on psoriasis in Norway are limi-ted. The aim of this study was to provide objective na-tional data on the incidence and prevalence of psoria-sis. Patients registered in the Norwegian Prescription Database with a diagnostic code indicating psoriasis vulgaris on prescriptions were included. During the period 2004 to 2020, 272,725 patients received pres-cription for psoriasis vulgaris in Norway. During the period 2015 to 2020, 84,432 patients received pres-cription for psoriasis vulgaris for the first time. In 2020, 71,857 (97.7%) patients received topical, 7,197 (9.8%) conventional systemic and 2,886 (3.9%) bio-logical medication for psoriasis vulgaris. In the period 2015 to 2020, the point prevalence of psoriasis was 3.8-4.6% and the incidence was 0.29-0.25%. Nor-way is divided into 4 geographical health regions. A latitudinal difference was observed between the 4 re-gions, highest in Northern Norway. In the incidence population, median age was 47-53 years and males comprised 46-50%. In this study of psoriasis vulgaris, prevalence in Norway was higher than in earlier re-ports from other countries. There was a small female predominance regarding incidence and prevalence; however, men had more prescriptions for systemic tre-atment. Prescriptions for psoriasis vulgaris showed a stable level, with a trend of increasing use of biological medication during the study period.

Automated summary

This study aimed to provide objective national data on the incidence and prevalence of psoriasis in Norway. From 2004 to 2020, 272,725 patients received prescriptions for psoriasis vulgaris. From 2015 to 2020, 84,432 patients received their first prescription for psoriasis vulgaris. The point prevalence of psoriasis in Norway from 2015 to 2020 was 3.8-4.6% and the incidence was 0.29-0.25%.