There is limited literature evidence evaluating patients’ perspectives and management of psoriatic arthritis. Now a recent study published in the journal Rheumatology International has noted a gap in patients’ awareness levels and their dissatisfaction regarding current treatment in a small proportion of subjects.
Himashu Pathak and his colleagues conducted a multicentric cross-sectional survey with 262 respondents who answered the questionnaire from 17 centers across India. A survey questionnaire was created with questions on demographics, disease awareness, treatment, physical therapy, quality of life, and satisfaction with care. The results reported that it took almost a year between the onset of the disease and the medical diagnosis in 40% of the cases. Most of the patients were consulting rheumatologists, and over 83% of them reported following the advice recommended by their rheumatologists. The most frequent excuses for non-adherence to therapy were a lack of time and the expense of treatment. About 34% of them expressed a lack of satisfaction with their present care due to obstacles such as lack of time, discomfort, or exhaustion. More than two-thirds of patients had never seen a physiotherapist. Additionally, nearly 50% of PsA patients said that their everyday activities and work situations were disrupted.
A study conducted in 2020 also evaluated the factors associated with patient-physician alignment in satisfaction with PsA disease control. This cross-sectional survey included 656 patient-physician pairs from the US and Europe. The results of the study indicated misalignment in 20.6% of the cases, which was attributed to a greater disease impact, worse physician-reported disease severity, and lower patient-reported involvement in treatment decision-making. Thus, the survey highlighted a gap in patient awareness and provided valuable insights for healthcare professionals to understand the diverse perspectives of PsA patients. By systematically addressing these issues, it is possible to improve the approaches to therapy, treatment outcomes, and overall patient satisfaction.
Therefore, the findings of this survey highlight the importance of addressing the gap in patient awareness among PsA patients. By actively involving patients in the decision-making process and improving communication, healthcare providers can ensure that patients feel heard and empowered in their treatment journey. Additionally, efforts should be made to raise awareness about PsA, its impact on daily life, and the available treatment options.
References
- Pathak H, Goyal M, Das P, Santhanam S, Khan AK, Malaviya S, Pandey A, Patil P, Pandey BD, Rath P, Pandey S. Awareness, perspectives and satisfaction levels among patients with psoriatic arthritis: a multicentric cross-sectional survey. Rheumatology International. 2023 May 13:1-9.
- Gossec L, Orbai AM, Lobosco S, Moon R, Massey O, Piercy J, Cappelleri JC, Fallon L, Young P, Romero AB, Hsu MA. Patient–Physician Alignment in Satisfaction With Psoriatic Arthritis Treatment: Analysis From a Cross-Sectional Survey in the United States and Europe. Journal of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis. 2020 Oct;5(4):168-73.