Extending psychosocial assessment of patients with psoriasis in the UK, using a self-rated, web-based survey

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Quality of life self-rating using a web-based survey has not previously been evaluated for psoriasis in the UK. AIM: To use an open-access web-based survey to assess the effect of psoriasis on patients' daily life. Methods. The survey was conducted using a dedicated website endorsed by a UK psoriasis patient charity. RESULTS: In total, 1760 patients (1102 women, 658 men; median age range 40-44 years) assessed their psoriasis using the website. Psoriasis was 'very' or 'extremely' active in 52%, and 71% had been diagnosed > 10 years previously. Psoriasis had negatively affected the working life of 59% of patients, and the educational performance of 31%. CONCLUSIONS: The use of an open-access web-based survey may address potential bias in previous studies, but may itself introduce a bias towards younger patients. This is the first report of a web-based survey of UK patients with psoriasis, providing further recent evidence of how psoriasis affects patients' lives.