Disease and Treatment Characteristics in Geriatric Psoriasis: A Patient Survey Comparing Age Groups

• Published in: Acta dermato-venereologica Vol. 100; no. 14; p. adv00215
• Main Authors: van Winden, Marieke E C, ter Haar, Elke L M, Groenewoud, Hans M M, van de Kerkhof, Peter C M, de Jong, Elke M G J, Lubeek, Satish F K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sweden Society for Publication of Acta Dermato-Venereologica 28.07.2020; Medical Journals Sweden
• Subjects: Aged; Clinical Report; Comorbidity; Dermatologic Agents; dermatological agents; frail elderly; geriatric population; Humans; Middle Aged; Prevalence; psoriasis; Psoriasis - diagnosis; Psoriasis - drug therapy; Psoriasis - epidemiology; questionnaires; surveys; Surveys and Questionnaires; questionnaires; frail elderly; dermatological agents; psoriasis; aged; surveys; geriatric population
• ISSN: 1651-2057; 0001-5555; 1651-2057
• DOI: 10.2340/00015555-3569

Little is known about psoriasis in geriatric patients, whereas treating this growing population can be challenging due to comorbidities, comedication and physical impairments. To compare disease and treatment characteristics of psoriasis patients ≥ 65 years old with patients < 65 years old, a self-assessment survey was sent to all members of the Dutch Psoriasis Association (n = 3,310). In total, 985 (29.7%) patients returned the survey, 414 (43.6%) respondents were ≥ 65 years old. Patients ≥ 65 years old had experienced erythrodermic psoriasis significantly more frequently than patients < 65 years old, other disease characteristics were highly comparable. Despite a significantly higher prevalence of comorbidities and comedication use in patients ≥ 65 years old, no difference was seen between the age groups regarding systemic antipsoriatic treatment (38.3% in ≥ 65 years old vs 42.3% in < 65 years old; p = 0.219). Remarkably, treatment-related side-effects were reported more frequently by patients < 65 years old. In conclusion, age alone should not be a limiting factor in psoriasis management, and proper attention must be paid to additional patient-related factors.