204 The Burden of Moderate-to-Severe Genital Psoriasis: Patients’ Perspective on Symptoms

Abstract

Genital involvement in psoriasis is common and can have profound physical and psychosocial implications, yet patients’ experiences of genital symptoms have only been sparsely described. Patient interviews were conducted to better understand symptoms associated with genital psoriasis (GP) and their impact. One-on-one semi-structured phone interviews were conducted with patients from US clinics, aged ≥18 years, who had a physician diagnosis of chronic plaque psoriasis (duration ≥6 months) and self-reported current or recent (≤3 months) moderate-to-severe GP (per Patient Global Assessment ≥4). Using information from a literature review and clinician interviews, patient interviews were designed to elicit information about GP symptoms and their impact on sexual function and health-related quality of life. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and de-identified. Transcripts were coded and analyzed to identify key themes and responses using ATLAS.ti 7.5.9. Data are presented on symptoms. Patients (N=20) had a mean [standard deviation] age of 45 (14.2) years, most were White (90%), and half (55%) were female. The mean psoriasis and GP durations were 18 (14.0) and 7.5 (9.7) years, respectively; 90% reported current moderate-to-severe overall psoriasis and 95% current moderate-to-severe GP. Overall, the most common GP symptoms were itch (100%), discomfort (100%), redness/erythema (95%), stinging/burning (95%), pain (85%), and scaling (75%). Of these, patients spontaneously reported itch and redness/erythema most frequently (90% and 50%, respectively), and upon probing reported discomfort, stinging/burning, pain, and scaling (70%, 50%, 45%, 50%, respectively). In addition, cracking was spontaneously reported by 30% of patients. Patients considered the most bothersome symptoms to be itch (40%) and stinging/burning (40%). Patients reported that symptom severity often depended on their activities and/or the weather.