Survey shows impact of psoriasis is more than skin deep

The National Psoriasis Foundation, The Dermatology Nurses Association, dermatologists and people with psoriasis join forces to launch Beyond Psoriasis: The Person Behind the Patient

WASHINGTON, DC – February 9, 2004 – People with psoriasis experience a crisis in self-confidence so severe it can darken almost every aspect of life, from the quality of a person’s love life to performance on the job and day-to-day social interactions. People report feeling like social outcasts and being misunderstood by the public. These are some of the dramatic insights gleaned from a new survey of people with moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Psoriasis is a chronic, life-altering disease that affects more than 4.5 million adults or 1 in 50 people in the United States.

The survey is the most comprehensive study to date to specifically examine the social and emotional effects of psoriasis. It also illustrates the need for a public education and support program for people with psoriasis. Beyond PsoriasisSM: The Person Behind the Patient, is a unique collaboration of health providers, advocates and people with psoriasis including the National Psoriasis Foundation and the Dermatology Nurses Association (DNA). The new program launched today at the 62nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).

"Comprehensive care of psoriasis goes beyond treating the symptoms. This survey validates the need for an understanding about how psoriasis can impact a patient's social life and emotional and physical well-being," said Alan Menter, MD, Chief of the Division of Dermatology at Baylor University Medical Center and a member of the Beyond Psoriasis Advisory Board. "I am committed to this program and its objectives to provide education, sensitivity and support to these individuals similar to what is available for other chronic diseases like heart disease or arthritis. Otherwise, the patient's psoriasis is not fully managed."

Psoriasis occurs when the new skin cell growth rapidly accelerates, resulting in thick, red, scaly, inflamed patches on the skin's surface. Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of the disease, and is characterized by inflamed patches of skin ("lesions") topped with silvery white scales. Psoriasis can be limited to a few spots or involve extensive areas of the body, appearing most commonly on the scalp, knees, elbows and trunk. Although it is highly visible, psoriasis is not a contagious disease. While there is no known cure for psoriasis, there are a number of treatment options available including topical creams and ointments, phototherapy, systemics and most recently biologic therapies which offer new hope to psoriasis sufferers.

Key Survey Findings

Conducted in December 2003 by the NFO, a leading market research firm, the survey sampled 502 people with moderate-to-severe psoriasis to determine the effect the disease has on four crucial aspects of life: self-esteem, work/school, relationships (including sex life and intimacy) and social interactions. Most strikingly, three-quarters (73%) of people with severe psoriasis and about half (48%) of people with moderate psoriasis reported low self-confidence serious enough to affect virtually all aspects of life. Further, the survey found that one of the driving forces behind these feelings is a perceived lack of understanding among the general public. Less than one in ten people surveyed (8%) feel that society understands the disease. Sixty-seven percent say the public is ignorant about psoriasis, 64% say the public is afraid that the disease may be contagious, 56% say the public is disgusted by psoriasis and 45% say that people with psoriasis are often the "object of ridicule."

Findings of an Omnibus Survey of 1,000 adult Americans, conducted by Opinion Research Corporation International (ORC) in December 2003, found that the vast majority of respondents (88%) have heard of psoriasis and that almost half (46%) knew someone with psoriasis. The findings showed that although the public is not aware of the prevalence of the disease (93% were not aware that 4.5 million Americans have psoriasis), 86% of the respondents did know that psoriasis is not contagious and 52% were aware that psoriasis is more emotionally crippling than physically disabling.

"I'm really surprised that so many people know that psoriasis is not contagious. I have psoriasis, and when I have a flare up, I am really self-conscious. I know that people stare and stay away from me because they think I am contagious," said Mike Frisbie, a member of the Beyond Psoriasis Advisory Board and psoriasis patient. "Part of what we want to do with this program is to help people with psoriasis feel more comfortable with discussing the disease and to learn ways to cope with the self-defeating attitudes that can cast a shadow over many aspects of our lives. We want to help empower others to speak up about their disease with their doctor, their friends, acquaintances and loved ones, and in doing so, help them continue their lives in a positive way."

Self Confidence

Negative effects were most dramatically experienced by people with psoriasis who are 18-24 years old – a population just beginning to develop their self-esteem and interpersonal relationships that will influence the rest of their lives. Women, single people and those who have visible psoriasis (usually on their face and/or scalp) were most impacted.