A prospective, interventional assessment of psoriasis quality of life using a nonskin-specific validated instrument that allows comparison with other major medical conditions.

Background Psoriasis significantly impacts patients' quality of life. Objectives The purpose of this study was to prospectively assess the quality-of-life impact of treatment for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis by using a validated quality-of-life psychometric instrument that has been widely used in nondermatologic settings. Methods In all, 32 patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis received 24 weeks of adalimumab treatment. Patients completed the Psychological General Well-Being (PGWB) Index, which evaluates 6 domains including anxiety and depression. The primary end point was the change in total PGWB score at weeks 12 and 24 of adalimumab treatment compared with baseline. Results Statistically significant improvement in the total PGWB score was documented by week 4. By week 24, all 6 PGWB domains showed statistically significant improvement from the pretreatment baseline. Limitations One limitation of this study is that the comparison between our psoriasis data and PGWB data from other major medical conditions was not conducted in a head-to-head manner. Another limitation is that we did not have a controlled (placebo) arm. Conclusion Based on PGWB scores, patients with untreated psoriasis have as much impairment in psychological well-being as patients with other major medical diseases including breast cancer, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, and diabetes and that potent intervention improves psychological well-being to where it is comparable with that of patients with asymptomatic hypertension. A prompt intervention with an effective dermatologic treatment is not only critical, but capable of restoring the physical and psychological well-being of patients with psoriasis.