A survey of treatment practices in management of psoriasis patients among dermatologists of Kerala

• Main Authors: Mohammed Nazeer, Surya Ravindran, Geethu Gangadharan, Sebastian Criton
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2019-01-01
• Series: Indian Dermatology Online Journal
• Subjects: Dermatologist; guideline; psoriasis; survey
• Online Access: http://www.idoj.in/article.asp?issn=2229-5178;year=2019;volume=10;issue=4;spage=437;epage=440;aulast=Nazeer

Introduction: The management of psoriasis is a daily challenge for dermatologists as most patients present with varied morphological presentations and exacerbations at every visit. This exerts a heightened responsibility on the dermatologists to tailor their treatments according to each patient. Aims: This study was conducted to assess the variation in treatment practices in the management of psoriasis patients among dermatologists of Kerala. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire-based survey was conducted among the practicing dermatologists of Kerala, South India. Conclusions: At the end of this questionnaire-based study, we concluded that there is a wide variation in the treatment practices among practicing dermatologists of Kerala. Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) is not assessed by majority of dermatologists while planning treatment. Most dermatologists rely on body surface area while planning treatment due to time constraints and did not perform PASI (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index) or PGA (Physician Global Assessment) scoring. Satisfaction and challenges related to current therapies also impact treatment rates. Our dermatologists adhered to their own individual guidelines while treating and expressed a dire need for a unified guideline.