Treatment goals in psoriasis from a patient perspective: a qualitative study

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder with marked impact on quality of life. In view of the well-recognized need to integrate the patient perspective in psoriasis care, treatment goals which originate entirely from the experiences of the patients are of utmost importance. Objective: To explore treatment goals in patients with psoriasis that originate entirely from the patient perspective. Methods: Data was generated using face-to-face in-depth interviews with 15 Dutch psoriasis patients, which were analyzed using template analysis resulting in 2 first-level, 10 second-level, and 14 third-level themes. Results: A wide variety of treatment goals was reported. Almost all patients reported their 'ultimate' treatment goal would be achieving total skin clearance. Barriers in achieving treatment goals included the fact that psoriasis is a chronic disease with no cure available, lack of effectiveness of current treatment options and side effects of treatments of which the treatment effect does not compensate. Conclusion: There is a great variety and inter-individual difference in treatment goals. Therefore, we recommend to define individualized patient-defined treatment goals, as every patient with psoriasis requires a tailor-made treatment program.