Drugs - Real World Outcomes (Feb 2023)

Dermatology Life Quality Index in Patients with Psoriasis Treated with Biologic Versus Non-biologic Treatment in Malaysia: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study

  • Suganthy Robinson,
  • Tang Min Moon,
  • Tey Kwee Eng,
  • Teoh Tze Yuen,
  • Tang Jyh Jong,
  • Latha Selvarajah,
  • Tan Wooi Chiang,
  • Teh Yeon Chiat,
  • John Tiong,
  • Harini Chinthapatla,
  • Shu Kee Eng,
  • Suganthi Thevarajah

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40801-023-00359-1
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 2
pp. 291 – 298

Abstract

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Abstract Background Psoriasis imposes a substantial burden on patients’ social, emotional, physical, and family life. Although psoriasis has no complete cure, various treatments are available to control its symptoms and improve a patients’ quality of life. Objective We aimed to compare the effectiveness of biologic versus non-biologic treatments on health-related quality of life among patients with psoriasis in Malaysia. Methods This retrospective cross-sectional study evaluated data of adult patients diagnosed with psoriasis during 2007–18 from the Malaysian Psoriasis Registry. Baseline demographics, disease, and treatment characteristics were described. For a subset of patients treated with biologics and non-biologics who had baseline and 6-month follow-up data available, changes in the mean Dermatology Life Quality Index scores and the proportion of patients with a clinically relevant improvement (≥ 4 points) post-treatment were assessed. Results Overall, 15,238 adult patients with psoriasis from the Malaysian Psoriasis Registry were included in the analysis. Patients receiving biologics showed a statistically significant reduction in the mean Dermatology Life Quality Index scores after 6 months compared with those receiving non-biologic treatment (− 5.7 vs − 0.8%; p < 0.001). The proportion of patients who achieved a ≥ 4-point improvement in Dermatology Life Quality Index scores was approximately two times greater in the biologic-treated group versus the non-biologic-treated group (56.4 vs 27.7%). Conclusions Biologic treatment showed a greater reduction in the Dermatology Life Quality Index scores of patients with psoriasis versus non-biologic treatment. These results highlight the importance of early treatment with more efficacious treatment options, such as biologic therapies, to improve the overall health-related quality of life of patients with psoriasis.