Assessment of psoriasis severity in Brazilian patients with chronic plaque psoriasis attending outpatient clinics: a multicenter, population-based cross-sectional study (APPISOT)

Purpose: Data on chronic plaque psoriasis severity and its potential clinical and lifestyle implications in the Brazilian population are limited. The primary aim of this study was to assess the clinical severity of plaque psoriasis in Brazil. Further objectives included evaluating potential associations between disease severity and demographic, lifestyle, and clinical characteristics, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and work productivity.Materials and methods: This observational (non-interventional) cross-sectional study was conducted in 26 dermatologic clinics across 11 Brazilian states. Psoriasis severity was assessed using investigator judgment and Finlay’s Rule of Tens: a Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score >10, a Body Surface Area (BSA) > 10%, or a Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) score >10.Results: Among 1125 patients, 205 (18.2%) had moderate-to-severe disease. On multiple regression analyses, psoriasis severity was significantly (directly) associated with the presen...