Differences in healthcare barriers based on racial and/or ethnic background for patients with psoriasis

Nonwhite patients have more severe psoriasis and poorer quality of life. A racial, ethnic, and/or cultural gap exists for patients suffering from psoriasis.

To assess whether the disparity in psoriasis care stems from differences in perception of psoriasis and/or healthcare barriers based on racial or ethnic background.

An online survey was given to subjects with a self-reported diagnosis of psoriasis to assess healthcare barriers (n = 302). Subjects were randomized to receive one of two online surveys: mild psoriasis vs. severe psoriasis. Outcome measures were evaluated on a 10-point Likert scale between subjects with a self-reported race or ethnic background as white and nonwhite. Comparisons were analyzed using single-factor ANOVA, two-group t-tests, and chi-squared analysis.

Compared to the white population, the nonwhite population more frequently reported lack of culturally competent care as one of the largest barriers to seek psoriasis treatment (p=.01). The nonwhite population also reported high cost of care to be a more significant barrier to seek medical care (p=.02).

If providers better understand the differences in perception of psoriasis and barriers to seek medical care based on racial and/or ethnic background, they can potentially improve the way they interact with patients and present treatment.