Addressing comorbidities in psoriatic disease.

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Rheumatology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are linked to significant comorbidities like cardiovascular disease, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and depression.
• Effective management requires understanding patient awareness of comorbidity monitoring and physician involvement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess patient recognition of comorbidity monitoring for psoriasis and PsA.
• To identify which physicians manage these associated comorbidities.

Main Methods:

• A comorbidity questionnaire was administered to 268 patients (103 with psoriasis without arthritis [PsC], 164 with PsA).
• Patient responses were compared with physician records for PsA patients.
• Data collected via clinic visits and telephone interviews.

Main Results:

• Patients reported moderate screening for comorbidities, with high rates for blood pressure and weight checks.
• PsA patients showed higher monitoring frequency than PsC patients but expressed uncertainty regarding blood sugar and cholesterol checks.
• Highest patient-physician record correlation was observed for diabetes, depression, and hypercholesterolemia management, with family physicians most frequently cited for monitoring.

Conclusions:

• Patients with psoriasis and PsA are generally aware of comorbidity monitoring, but specific uncertainties exist, particularly for metabolic parameters.
• Discrepancies between patient recall and physician records indicate a need for enhanced patient education and improved clinical documentation.
• Strengthening communication and record-keeping is crucial for optimizing comorbidity management in these patient populations.