Drug supply for psoriasis - results from a national pharmacy network

TY - JOUR

T1 - Drug supply for psoriasis - results from a national pharmacy network

AU - Franzke, Nadine

AU - Montenbruck, Moritz

AU - Langenbruch, Anna Katharina

AU - Beikert, Florian C

AU - Kresken, Joachim

AU - Augustin, Matthias

N1 - © The Authors • Journal compilation © Blackwell Verlag GmbH, Berlin.

PY - 2013/7/1

Y1 - 2013/7/1

N2 - BACKGROUND: In Germany, drugs are to a large extent provided by pharmacies. Thus, investigations in pharmacies permit drug usage studies both on patients receiving prescribable drugs and using self-medication. The current study evaluated the quality of medical care, disease burden and spectrum of treatments for patients with psoriasis in a nationwide network of pharmacies.PATIENTS AND METHODS: A nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted in 61 pharmacies. Patients with psoriasis vulgaris who came to the pharmacy to obtain antipsoriatic drugs or basic ointments were consecutively recruited, interviewed and asked to complete a standardized questionnaire. The questionnaire focused on socio-demographic characteristics and prior therapies for psoriasis. Furthermore, data on the patient's treatment satisfaction, disease-related burden, and treatment adherence were evaluated. In addition, the proportion and significance of health care providers for psoriasis as well as the number of patients using self-medication were assessed.RESULTS: The data on 241 patients show a high and long-lasting disease-related burden. A high utilization of resources was found. Dermatologists were the most frequently consulted providers (reported by 77.1 % of patients), followed by general practitioners (10.4 %). 3.5 % of patients were using self-medication. Self-reported adherence with treatment was moderate (71.6 %). Patient satisfaction varied considerably and demonstrated the need for improvement.CONCLUSIONS: Psoriasis is a socio-economically relevant disease. Health care is provided primarily by dermatologists. Surveying patients in a national network of pharmacies is a unique and effective way of collecting relevant "real world" data. Selection biases related to the health care setting are minimized.

AB - BACKGROUND: In Germany, drugs are to a large extent provided by pharmacies. Thus, investigations in pharmacies permit drug usage studies both on patients receiving prescribable drugs and using self-medication. The current study evaluated the quality of medical care, disease burden and spectrum of treatments for patients with psoriasis in a nationwide network of pharmacies.PATIENTS AND METHODS: A nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted in 61 pharmacies. Patients with psoriasis vulgaris who came to the pharmacy to obtain antipsoriatic drugs or basic ointments were consecutively recruited, interviewed and asked to complete a standardized questionnaire. The questionnaire focused on socio-demographic characteristics and prior therapies for psoriasis. Furthermore, data on the patient's treatment satisfaction, disease-related burden, and treatment adherence were evaluated. In addition, the proportion and significance of health care providers for psoriasis as well as the number of patients using self-medication were assessed.RESULTS: The data on 241 patients show a high and long-lasting disease-related burden. A high utilization of resources was found. Dermatologists were the most frequently consulted providers (reported by 77.1 % of patients), followed by general practitioners (10.4 %). 3.5 % of patients were using self-medication. Self-reported adherence with treatment was moderate (71.6 %). Patient satisfaction varied considerably and demonstrated the need for improvement.CONCLUSIONS: Psoriasis is a socio-economically relevant disease. Health care is provided primarily by dermatologists. Surveying patients in a national network of pharmacies is a unique and effective way of collecting relevant "real world" data. Selection biases related to the health care setting are minimized.

KW - Adolescent

KW - Adult

KW - Aged

KW - Aged, 80 and over

KW - Dermatologic Agents

KW - Drug Utilization Review

KW - Employment

KW - Germany

KW - Health Care Surveys

KW - Humans

KW - Medication Adherence

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Patient Satisfaction

KW - Pharmacies

KW - Prescriptions

KW - Prevalence

KW - Psoriasis

KW - Risk Factors

KW - Self Medication

KW - Socioeconomic Factors

KW - Treatment Outcome

KW - Young Adult

U2 - 10.1111/j.1610-0387.2012.08071.x

DO - 10.1111/j.1610-0387.2012.08071.x

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 23464851

VL - 11

SP - 638

EP - 643

JO - J DTSCH DERMATOL GES

JF - J DTSCH DERMATOL GES

SN - 1610-0379

IS - 7

ER -