New research just released shows many psoriasis patients give up and stop seeking treatment in spite of the fact that many new treatments have just been made available. More than 2% of U.S. adults have psoriasis, and one-third are seriously afflicted by the disease. But according to the National Psoriasis Foundation, more than one-fifth of these patients with significant psoriasis fail to seek treatment.
Phyllis Holvik has had psoriasis for 40 years. She gets ultraviolet treatment at her doctor’s office more often than she cares. “The thrill is gone. You have to be dedicated to come here three days a week.”
Phyllis stays committed. Unfortunately, not every patient is like her. New research out of the Archives of Dermatology shows that only about 60% of psoriasis patients stay compliant with their treatment plan. Lance Brown is a dermatologist who believes, “For
the most part I think it’s just the frustration of knowing that no matter how much time you spend you’re going to have to do this forever. And people want a cure. After many years of dealing with this people go through phases where they give up.
Psoriasis is a condition caused by an overactive immune system fighting a battle against normal skin tissue. The good news is that there is now a huge arsenal of treatments that go beyond the traditional ultraviolet light therapy and steroid creams and injections. There are new breakthrough medications either already approved or about to be approved that lessen the immune system activity.
In spite of the treatments that are available, the research found that it’s the patients with the most severe forms of disease who are least likely to stay on their treatments and follow up with their doctors. That causes the skin disease to go into a tail spin and it has psychological consequences as well. “It can get people quite depressed, and cause them to be ashamed of their bodies. You wear long trousers a long blouse when it’s warm out.”
Many of the new treatments are actually drugs already approved for use in other diseases, like Remicade, which is used for rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease. The drugs work using the same concept in all these conditions--by slowing down the immune system activity, you lower the disease activity and the symptoms go away. Dr. Brown says patients should keep the faith because of the great treatments now available. “Over three-quarters of these patients can respond within weeks to months and have very good control of their disease.” Some of the medications are already FDA approved for psoriasis or at the very least the arthritis that can be associated with psoriasis. The dermatologist interviewed believes all insurance, Medicare and private insurance, will cover all of these new medications within a year or so.
That is why Phyllis stays on her treatment plan. “There is treatment and there is hope,” she states.
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