Kantar Health Study Shows 4 in 10 Psoriasis Patients Do Not See a Physician for Their Condition

Staying up-to-date has never been simpler. Sign up for the free GenePool newsletter today!

NEW YORK, June 6, 2013—Four in 10 psoriasis patients—including 25 percent of moderate to severe patients—currently are not under the care of a physician for their condition, according to new research conducted by Kantar Health, a leading global healthcare consulting firm.

Results from a survey conducted among psoriasis patients in the U.S. show that while most patients who do see a physician for their psoriasis are satisfied with the medical care they receive, about one-third have stopped seeing a physician because of their dissatisfaction with their psoriasis treatment or progress. As disease severity increases, these patients are more likely to have changed physicians multiple times.

Patients who are dissatisfied with the care they receive cited their physicians’ inability to provide effective treatment as the primary reason for their dissatisfaction. Only four out of 10 claim to have a satisfactory level of clearing of their psoriasis plaques, with those using prescription treatments being the most satisfied with clearing but still falling short of their expectations. Furthermore, some patients also mentioned their physician had a lack of attention, emotional support or empathy as contributing to their dissatisfaction.

“Physician advice is far and away the greatest influence on how psoriasis is treated,” said Rose Lorenzo, director of research at Kantar Health. “However, a relatively large number of moderate to severe patients are declining to see a doctor about their disease, and those who are being treated are much more likely to be dissatisfied with their physicians. It’s important for physicians to set more realistic expectations on the level of psoriasis clearance they are likely to experience to help close the gap between expectations and treatment satisfaction.”

About the Kantar Health Syndicated Patient Studies

The study’s results were drawn from the Psoriasis Syndicated Patient Study, a nationally representative, self-administered survey. Topics covered include the health status, attitudes, behaviors and patient-reported outcomes among adults diagnosed with psoriasis. Kantar Health conducts syndicated studies in several therapeutic areas in the U.S.

About Kantar Health

Kantar Health is a leading global healthcare consulting firm and trusted advisor to many of the world’s leading pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device and diagnostic companies. It combines evidence-based research capabilities with deep scientific, therapeutic and clinical knowledge, commercial development know-how, and brand and marketing expertise to help clients evaluate opportunities, launch products and maintain brand and market leadership. Kantar Health deeply understands the influence of patients, payers and physicians, especially as they relate to the performance and payment of medicines and the delivery of healthcare services. Its 700+ healthcare industry specialists work across the product lifecycle, from preclinical development to launch, acting as catalysts to successful decision making in life sciences and helping clients prioritize their product development and portfolio activities, differentiate their brands and drive product success post-launch. For more information, please visit www.kantarhealth.com.

Help employers find you! Check out all the jobs and post your resume.

MORE ON THIS TOPIC