Patient satisfaction with psoriasis therapies: An update and introduction to biologic therapy

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated skin condition that often requires lifelong treatment. Many patients report dissatisfaction with traditional nonbiologic therapies because they are ineffective for their psoriasis, are associated with side effects, or impact negatively on quality of life. Objectives: The aim of this article is to review the effect on patient quality of life of traditional nonbiologic psoriasis therapies and to discuss the impact of biologic psoriasis therapies on patient satisfaction. Methods: A review of the literature is presented. Results: Traditional nonbiologic psoriasis therapies can negatively impact quality of life due to a variety of factors including inconvenience and toxicity. Biologic agents have been developed that target the immunopathogenesis of psoriasis. Based on favorable efficacy and safety results in clinical trials, some of these agents are now approved for clinical use. Evidence suggests that patients receiving biologic therapies experience significant improvements in health-related quality of life. Conclusion: Biologic agents offer new hope for patients with psoriasis that their chronic condition can be controlled in a manner that improves their quality of life and may lead to high levels of satisfaction with their treatment.