2011 Survey Results

The second Psoriasis Uncovered survey was conducted to explore how psoriasis impacts the lives of people living with the disease. In particular, the survey assessed in detail the impact that living with psoriasis might have on both employment and emotional well-being, and the concerns patients with psoriasis have about others’ perception of their disease.

It was an international internet and paper-based survey consisting of questions designed to find out about the effect psoriasis can have on self-esteem, self-confidence, work and career capabilities, social activities and relationships. The survey questions were developed in collaboration with two leading experts in psoriasis. Those completing the survey were asked to choose the most appropriate response to each question from a 5-point scale (1=strongly disagree, 5=strongly agree).

Between June 2010 and March 2011, the survey was completed by over 5,000 people with psoriasis from 8 countries, including Europe, Mexico and the United Arab Emirates. The majority of respondents (86%) were aged over 35 years of age and 54% were female. Additionally, the survey showed that most of the participants (60%) reported their psoriasis as moderate or severe.

Thank you to those who took part in the 2011 Psoriasis Uncovered survey.
This is what we learned from your responses:

Psoriasis can affect feelings of self-worth and self-confidence

Of those with moderate-to-severe psoriasis, 62% felt that having the disease had adversely affected their feelings of self-worth and 50% thought that psoriasis had reduced their self-confidence over time (Figure 1)

The lives of people with psoriasis may be affected by others’ perception of the disease

Almost one third of all respondents with moderate-to-severe psoriasis felt that others’ perception of psoriasis had affected a significant decision in their lives (Figure 2)

47% of those with moderate-to-severe disease, were affected more by their fear of what others might think about their condition than by the physical challenges that they face with the disease (Figure 2)

One third of people living with moderate-to-severe psoriasis said that they were not interested in what other people thought about their disease (Figure 2)

Psoriasis can affect relationships in those living with the disease

20% of all respondents felt psoriasis put a strain on their relationships with their spouse/partner (Figure 3)

40% of those living with psoriasis felt uncomfortable in intimate relationships because of their disease (Figure 3)

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

Almost one-third of respondents (28%) reported there are often days when they are not productive in work as a result of psoriasis (Figure 4)
- Increasing disease severity had a greater impact on a person’s ability to work, with 34% of those with moderate-to-severe psoriasis reporting that there are often days when they are not productive in work

17% of those with psoriasis felt that their disease had affected their job choice and that they had not done as well in their career as they would have liked because of psoriasis (Figure 4)
- 13% stated that psoriasis had prevented them from earning as much money as they felt they could have

Types of healthcare professionals respondents consult about their psoriasis

The majority of those surveyed consulted either their dermatologist (52%) or family practitioner (37%) about their psoriasis; however 5% of individuals with psoriasis did not consult any healthcare professional

Half of the respondents living with moderate-to-severe psoriasis usually consult a dermatologist/hospital doctor about their psoriasis

40% of people with moderate-to-severe disease felt that their healthcare professional was not as informed as they would like about the emotional impact of psoriasis

The 2011 survey results about treatment expectations

55% of those who completed the survey said that they were satisfied with the treatment of their psoriasis

here