What does well-being really look like in psoriasis?
A new study in Scientific Reports sought to find out by tapping into patients’ needs and concerns, with the overarching goal of contributing to better outcomes and restoring normalcy to patients with psoriasis.
The end result? “The concept of well-being in the psoriasis patient is multi-dimensional. It includes achieving emotional balance, having adequate overall health and control of the disease, enjoying positive social relationships, and being satisfied with disease care.”
To arrive at this definition, researchers disseminated a two-round Delphi questionnaire targeting healthcare professionals and psoriasis patients that was based on a literature review and consultation with psoriasis patients. Two hundred and sixty one panelists (65.1% patients with psoriasis, 34.9% healthcare professionals) agreed on the dimensions and components that should integrate the concept of well-being:
Emotional dimension (78.9%) [stress (83.9%), mood disturbance (85.1%), body image (83.9%), stigma/shame (75.1%), self-esteem (77.4%) and coping/resilience (81.2%)]
Physical dimension (82.0%) [sleep quality (81.6%), pain/discomfort (80.8%), itching (83.5%), extracutaneous manifestations (82.8%), lesions in visible areas (84.3%), lesions in functional areas (85.8%), and sex life (78.2%)]
Social dimension (79.5%) [social relationships (80.8%), leisure/recreational activities (80.3%), support from family/friends (76.6%) and work/academic life (76.5%)], and satisfaction with disease management (78.5%) [treatment (78.2%), information received (75.6%) and medical care provided by the dermatologist (80.1%)].
“The description of well-being in patient with psoriasis, as agreed upon in this study, will enable healthcare professionals to assess the impact of each dimension in the patient with psoriasis, and determine what is the most important to them,” the researchers conclude. “Defining well-being can help healthcare professionals to understand well-being and achieve a patient-centered care.”
