Quality-of-life issues in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: Outcome measures and therapies from a dermatological perspective

Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are inflammatory immune-mediated skin and joint conditions with major impacts on patients' health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Physical manifestations include unsightly, scaly, pruritic plaques and inflamed joints for patients with psoriatic arthritis. These symptoms can severely impair physical functioning and occupational capability and negatively affect psychosocial domains. Consequently, patients often experience feelings of embarrassment, helplessness, and depression. Recent therapies, including the biologics, have been shown to improve not only the physical signs and symptoms of these conditions, but also patients' HRQOL. To accurately assess these improvements, standardized and validated instruments are needed. However, there are currently a limited number of feasible and validated tools available in dermatology for measuring HRQOL and function. Valuable insights can be acquired from the rheumatology field, and refinement of existing outcome measures through a cooperative and consensus building process between dermatologists and rheumatologists will lead to standardization of assessment tools in the years ahead.