Adherence to topical treatment in psoriasis

• Type: Chapter or Part of a Book
• Date: 2017

Authors

Teixeira, A (Author) Other; Teixeira, M (Author) Other; Almeida, V (Author) Other; Almeida, IF (Author) FFUP

Book

Title: Adherence to Medical Plans for Active and Healthy Ageing

Pages: 261-289

ISBN: 9781536123098; 9781536122930

Publisher: Nova Science Publishers Inc

Indexing

Scopus - 2 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00N-9CN

Abstract (EN): Adherence to treatment remains a major field of study due to the clinical and economic burden of non-adherence and its impact on the quality of life and healthy ageing of patients. Skin diseases are among the most common diseases worldwide. Approximately one third of the population is affected by a skin condition through its life. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that requires long-term therapy and is one of the dermatoses with lowest adherence to treatment. Psoriasis is characterized by well-demarcated red, silvery, dry, raised, scaly plaques and includes unpredictable pattern of relapses and periods of remission. The severity of the disease can vary from one or two small plaques to extensive coverage of more than 90% of the body¿s surface area. The choice of treatment will depend on the type, severity and location of the lesions, as well as the effect the condition has on the patient¿s life. Treatment of psoriasis has improved vastly in recent years. The options for psoriasis treatment consist of topical agents, phototherapy, conventional systemic agents and biologic agents. Most of the patients with psoriasis can be safely and effectively treated with topical therapy alone. For those requiring systemic agents, topical therapies can provide additional benefits. Although these different approaches are available for psoriasis treatment, poor adherence contributes to their inefficiency. Characteristics of the patient (e.g., age and gender), disease (type and distribution of lesions) and treatment (e.g., formulation vehicle, time-consuming) and health professionals-patient interactions are associated with adherence to topical treatment of psoriasis. Unclear and incomplete posologic instructions specific to topical medicines may contribute to their clinical ineffectiveness. Failure of the indication of the duration of treatment, the application site and the dose were reported as some of the gaps of prescription in dermatological treatments. Simplified treatments, education about the disease, more pleasant medicines and psychological support can play an important role in the promotion of treatment adherence and a healthy ageing of patients suffering from this chronic dermatosis. © 2017 Nova Science Publishers, Inc.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific