Gender perspective in psoriasis: a scoping review and proposal of strategies for improved clinical practice by European dermatologists.

Abstract

The prevalence of psoriasis is similar between men and women; however, evidence exists of sex- and gender-related differences in disease expression, impact, coping, and needs of patients with psoriasis. These differences are essential and should be considered in clinical practice and research. To compile available evidence on sex- and gender-related differences in psoriasis, identify the most critical gaps in clinical practice and research, and use it to propose strategies for improved clinical practice. Six European dermatologists selected the topics to consider according to their relevance in the dermatology setting with the support of methodologists. Evidence on sex- and gender-related differences was obtained by a scoping review based on search strategies in Medline and Cochrane Library from inception to October 2021 using the following terms: arthritis, psoriatic, psoriasis, gender, and sex. The panel discussed the results and proposed strategies by consensus. The scoping review identified broad themes: (1) clinical expression, (2) severity and patient-reported outcomes, (3) psychosocial impact, (4) access to treatments and propensity to treat, (5) comorbidities, and (6) treatment effect. The strategies are based on these broad themes. No risk of bias assessment was done due to the scoping nature of the review. This review offers insights into gender differences in psoriasis, providing a foundation for improving clinical practice and patient outcomes.