Epidemiology of Psoriasis in Portugal: A Population-Based Study

Authors

  • Tiago Torres Department of Dermatology. Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto. Porto; Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar. University of Porto. Porto. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0404-0870
  • Paulo Filipe Department of Dermatology. Hospital de Santa Maria. Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte. Lisbon; Faculty of Medicine. University of Lisbon. Lisbon; Dermatology Research Unit. iMM João Lobo Antunes. University of Lisbon. Lisbon.
  • Francisco Menezes Brandão Private practice. Lisbon.
  • Américo Figueiredo Faculty of Medicine. University of Coimbra. Coimbra.
  • António Pinto Soares Faculty of Medicine. University of Coimbra. Coimbra.
  • Artur Sousa Basto Private practice. Braga.
  • Clarisse Rebelo Department of Dermatology. Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve. Faro.
  • Osvaldo Correia Centro de Dermatologia Epidermis. Instituto CUF. Porto; Centre for Health Technology and Services Research. University of Porto; Basic and Clinical Immunology Unit. Department of Pathology. Faculty of Medicine. University of Porto.
  • Paulo Ferreira Dermatology Center. Hospital CUF Descobertas. Lisbon.
  • Ana Brasileiro Department of Dermatology. Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central. Lisbon; NOVA Medical School. Faculdade de Ciências Médicas. Universidade NOVA de Lisboa. Lisbon.
  • Pedro Mendes-Bastos Dermatology Center. Hospital CUF Descobertas. Lisbon.
  • Maria João Paiva-Lopes Department of Dermatology. Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central. Lisbon; Chronic Diseases Research Center. NOVA Medical School. Faculdade de Ciências. Médicas. Universidade NOVA de Lisboa. Lisbon.
  • Gabriela Marques Pinto Department of Dermatology. Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central. Lisbon.
  • Milton Severo Departamento de Ensino Pré-Graduado. Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar. Universidade do Porto. Porto; Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional. Porto; Unidade de Investigação em Epidemiologia. Instituto de Saúde Pública. Universidade do Porto. Porto.
  • Denisa Mendonça Departamento de Ensino Pré-Graduado. Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar. Universidade do Porto. Porto; Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional. Porto; Unidade de Investigação em Epidemiologia. Instituto de Saúde Pública. Universidade do Porto. Porto.
  • Pedro Oliveira Departamento de Ensino Pré-Graduado. Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar. Universidade do Porto. Porto; Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional. Porto; Unidade de Investigação em Epidemiologia. Instituto de Saúde Pública. Universidade do Porto. Porto.
  • Manuela Selores Department of Dermatology. Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto. Porto.
  • António Massa Private practice. Porto.
  • Marta Pereira Private practice. Porto.
  • Rui Tavares Bello Department of Dermatology. Hospital Lusíadas. Lisbon.
  • on behalf of the Portuguese Psoriasis Group of the Portuguese Society of Dermatology and Venereology

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20344/amp.19048

Keywords:

Arthritis, Psoriatic/epidemiology, Portugal, Psoriasis/epidemiology, Surveys and Questionnaires

Abstract

Introduction: Psoriasis is a common, chronic, and inflammatory skin disorder with a high personal, social and economic burden and important implications for healthcare systems. The aim of this study was to provide an epidemiological characterization of individuals with psoriasis in Portugal.
Material and Methods: A large observational, cross-sectional, nationwide, population-based survey study developed by the Portuguese Psoriasis Group of the Portuguese Society of Dermatology and Venereology (GPP-SPDV). A structured questionnaire was designed and applied by experienced interviewers to a random, representative sample of Portuguese individuals with psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis. Patients were considered to have psoriasis if they replied positively to one of the following questions: “Does any physician have ever diagnosed you with psoriasis?” or “Do you have a skin disorder characterized by scaling, reddish skin lesions located in the elbows/knees/scalp?”.
Results: A total of 6381 individuals were interviewed, of which 283 met the criteria for psoriasis, corresponding to a prevalence rate of 4.4% (95% CI 3.95 – 4.98). Out of the participants that met psoriasis criteria, 24% had suggestive signs/symptoms but did not have a clinical diagnosis established and were not being monitored by a physician. Although more than 70% of participants had active disease (scaling, erythema, or pruritus) and one third had joint symptoms, only 12% were on systemic treatment. Fifty percent of participants with psoriasis (n = 139) had relevant comorbidities (most frequently depression/anxiety and cardiometabolic diseases). Sixteen percent of participants with psoriasis (n = 46) reported that psoriasis interfered with their daily activities (median impact of 5 in a 0 – 10 scale) and 12% mentioned the disease had an impact in their sexual life (median impact of 5 in a 0 – 10 scale).
Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the prevalence rate of psoriasis is likely to be high in Portugal, and several gaps exist at different levels of healthcare delivery to these patients, from diagnosis to treatment. This study provides important data for the future planning of interventions targeting the improvement of psoriasis care in Portugal.

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Published

2023-01-06

How to Cite

1.
Torres T, Filipe P, Menezes Brandão F, Figueiredo A, Pinto Soares A, Sousa Basto A, Rebelo C, Correia O, Ferreira P, Brasileiro A, Mendes-Bastos P, Paiva-Lopes MJ, Marques Pinto G, Severo M, Mendonça D, Oliveira P, Selores M, Massa A, Pereira M, Tavares Bello R, Portuguese Society of Dermatology and Venereology on behalf of the PPG of the. Epidemiology of Psoriasis in Portugal: A Population-Based Study. Acta Med Port [Internet]. 2023 Jan. 6 [cited 2024 Mar. 28];36(9):541-9. Available from: https://www.actamedicaportuguesa.com/revista/index.php/amp/article/view/19048

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