2009 Survey Results

Background to the Survey

The Psoriasis Uncovered patient survey - conducted by Abbott, in partnership with The Psoriasis Association - was carried out in the UK between August and September 2010 amongst more than 1,300 patients living with psoriasis. The aim was to explore the psychological impact of the skin condition, and to gain other insights that could help raise awareness of the impact of psoriasis and encourage other people with the condition to seek appropriate help.

Key Survey Results

Stigma

Over 50% of patients with severe psoriasis think that their fear of what others think of their psoriasis affects them more than the physical challenge of the condition.¹

74% feel that there is a stigma associated with severe psoriasis¹ and almost a quarter (22%) claim that they’ve been asked to leave a public place because of their psoriasis¹
Over a third feel that people treat them differently because of their condition¹
17% feel that even when they have no physical symptoms, people still treat them differently when they learn they have severe psoriasis¹
Almost half of patients have actively avoided social situations because of their severe psoriasis¹ and over 83% have actively avoided situations where their severe psoriasis will be on view¹

Self esteem and confidence

Almost two thirds (63%) of patients with severe psoriasis report that their feelings of self-worth have been adversely affected¹

57% feel that severe psoriasis has reduced their confidence over time¹
61% feel that the way their skin looks affects the way they interact with others,¹ with 58% feeling uneasy at a social occasion with people who do not know about their disease¹
A third feel that they will never be the same person again, even if their symptoms were to clear¹

Psychological impact

A quarter of those with severe psoriasis have been diagnosed with depression¹ – and almost 1 in 5 believe it was triggered by the disease¹
A third of patients feel that other people’s perceptions of severe psoriasis have affected a significant decision in their life¹
Almost half feel uncomfortable in intimate/sexual relationships due to their severe psoriasis,¹ with 46% admitting to having actively avoided such relationships¹

From diagnosis to treatment

Doctors and other healthcare professionals (HCPs) may not be considering the psychological impact of the skin condition when assessing and treating severe psoriasis patients, or providing adequate guidance on living with the condition:

49% of respondents do not feel comfortable about talking to their HCPs about the effect severe psoriasis has on their life¹
Only 28% of patients with severe psoriasis feel that their concerns about psoriasis and/or treatment are alleviated after an appointment with their HCP¹
58% don’t feel that any previous treatments have made enough of a difference to their severe psoriasis¹ and over 33% are unsatisfied with their current medical treatment¹
44% feel that their HCP is not as informed as they would like about the emotional impact of their condition¹
Only 29% feel their HCP has a good understanding of the impact of severe psoriasis on their life¹

Survey demographics

Between 16 August and 15 September 2010, over 1,300 patients living with psoriasis took part in an online and postal survey
Of those respondents:
- 39% were under 16 years old when they were first diagnosed with psoriasis¹
- Over 76% were 45 years old or over¹
- 56% were female¹
- 27% described their condition as deteriorating¹

References:

¹ Abbott Laboratories data on file: RM16523. Psoriasis Uncovered 2010 patient survey. October, 2010.

Thank you to those who took part in the first Psoriasis Uncovered survey in 2009.
This is what we learned from your responses:

Psoriasis can have a lasting effect on a person's life

43% of people living with psoriasis and almost half (46%) of those with severe disease believe that even if their psoriasis were to disappear tomorrow they would still live with the long-term effects that the condition has had on their life (Figure 1)

Self esteem may be negatively affected as a result of living with psoriasis

More than 8 out of 10 (83%) people with psoriasis and nearly 9 out of 10 (89%) people with severe disease agree that living with psoriasis has had a negative effect on their self esteem

Psoriasis may reduce a person’s ability to work and negatively impact income levels

Almost 1 in 5 (19%) respondents told us that they have lost or quit their job because of their psoriasis and more than a third (36%) said that psoriasis has negatively affected their income or earning potential (Figure 2). These effects were even more common in those with severe disease
Absences from work were high in people living with psoriasis, especially in those with severe disease. Overall, 41% of respondents missed work in the last year because of their disease, with almost a fifth (17%) missing 11 or more days

People with psoriasis may change their career choice because of their disease

37% of all respondents and more than 40% of those with severe psoriasis told us that the condition has prevented them from pursuing their desired career path

Psoriasis can limit social activities

Almost a quarter (22%) of all respondents and 30% of those with severe disease told us that they have cancelled five or more social engagements in the last year because of their psoriasis (Figure 3)

Self confidence may be reduced in some people with psoriasis

More than a third (36%) of people feel that their psoriasis has had at least a moderate impact on their self-confidence

People with psoriasis live with the condition for many years (Figure 4)

Date of preparation – February 2011, AXHUD103077