Aaron M Secrest1, Ali Matinrazm2, Laura K Ferris2. 1. Department of Dermatology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah; 2. Department of Dermatology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine which factors (i.e., cost, efficacy, safety, and method of delivery) influence choice of psoriasis treatment by patients and how patients obtain information regarding treatment options. DESIGN: Anonymous survey. SETTING: Specialty Psoriasis Clinic at an academic dermatology department over a six-month period. PARTICIPANTS: Convenience sample of 40 psoriasis patients. MEASUREMENTS: Participant demographics, psoriasis treatment history, sources of information about treatment options, factors influencing treatment choices, and knowledge of treatment costs. RESULTS: The mean (±SD) patient age and duration of psoriasis was 50 (±17) and 19 (±17) years, respectively. Factors influencing patient's choice of psoriasis treatment were, in order of importance: efficacy (90% very important), safety/side effects (65%), patient's own cost (53%), then total treatment cost (46%), frequency of use (37%), and method of medication delivery (i.e., topical, oral, or injection; 17%). Eighty percent of patients reported not knowing the total cost of any psoriasis treatments. The patient's dermatologist was identified as both the most important (90%) and the most influential (75%) source of information for selecting psoriasis treatments, with the internet being the second most important source. CONCLUSION: Patients, in large measure, are unaware of the costs for different psoriasis treatments. Efficacy, safety, and out-of-pocket costs are the most important factors to patients in deciding on a psoriasis treatment.
OBJECTIVE: To determine which factors (i.e., cost, efficacy, safety, and method of delivery) influence choice of psoriasis treatment by patients and how patients obtain information regarding treatment options. DESIGN: Anonymous survey. SETTING: Specialty Psoriasis Clinic at an academic dermatology department over a six-month period. PARTICIPANTS: Convenience sample of 40 psoriasispatients. MEASUREMENTS: Participant demographics, psoriasis treatment history, sources of information about treatment options, factors influencing treatment choices, and knowledge of treatment costs. RESULTS: The mean (±SD) patient age and duration of psoriasis was 50 (±17) and 19 (±17) years, respectively. Factors influencing patient's choice of psoriasis treatment were, in order of importance: efficacy (90% very important), safety/side effects (65%), patient's own cost (53%), then total treatment cost (46%), frequency of use (37%), and method of medication delivery (i.e., topical, oral, or injection; 17%). Eighty percent of patients reported not knowing the total cost of any psoriasis treatments. The patient's dermatologist was identified as both the most important (90%) and the most influential (75%) source of information for selecting psoriasis treatments, with the internet being the second most important source. CONCLUSION:Patients, in large measure, are unaware of the costs for different psoriasis treatments. Efficacy, safety, and out-of-pocket costs are the most important factors to patients in deciding on a psoriasis treatment.
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