Title:PSSD and Biologic Therapy: Real-Life Data in 417 Patients with Moderate
to Severe Psoriasis
Volume: 17
Issue: 3
Author(s): Ilaria Proietti*, Nicoletta Bernardini*, Nevena Skroza, Alessandra Mambrin, Ersilia Tolino, Anna Marchesiello, Federica Marraffa, Giovanni Rossi, Salvatore Volpe and Concetta Potenza
Affiliation:
- Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Roma RM, Polo Pontino, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
- Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Roma RM, Polo Pontino, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
Keywords:
Psoriasis, biologic therapy, PSSD, quality of life, anti-TNFalpha, anti- IL17, anti- IL23.
Abstract:
Background: Psoriasis is a chronic relapsing immune-mediated disease leading to a
strong impact on patient’s quality of life. The treatment of psoriasis has undergone a revolution with
the advent of biological therapies. Currently, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and
Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores are in use to assess the overall severity of pathology.
A new self-administered questionnaire, the Psoriasis Symptoms and Signs Diary (PSSD), assesses
the severity of six psoriasis symptoms (itch, skin tightness, burning, stinging, and pain,) and five
signs (dryness, cracking, scaling, shedding/flaking, redness, and bleeding).
Objective: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of biologic therapies through PSSD in patients with
moderate to severe psoriasis.
Methods: The PSSD questionnaire was administered to all the patients at the beginning and after 6
months of biologic therapy (anti-TNFalpha, anti-IL17, anti-IL23, anti-IL12/23 and
phhosphodiesterase-4 Inhibitors).
Results: The study population included 417 adult patients with moderate to severe psoriasis in
treatment with biologic drugs. All the drugs contributed to a significant improvement in mean total
PSSD at t 24; anti-IL17 and anti-IL23 led to a significantly greater reduction at t 24 mean PSSD
when compared to other therapies.
Conclusion: The PSSD, is a new validated instrument useful for capturing psoriasis patient’s quality
of life and evaluating treatment efficacy. In our study, this score has been useful to put in evidence
significant differences between biological drugs.
