Health-related quality of life in patients with generalized pustular psoriasis – a Swedish register study

Abstract

Background Real-world data on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) are scarce and studies have been restricted in terms of instruments used for assessments. Objective To assess generic and dermatology-specific HRQoL of patients with GPP compared with patients with plaque psoriasis using real-world data from the Swedish National Register for Systemic Treatment of Psoriasis. Methods Cross-sectional data from 2006 to 2021 including 7041 individuals with plaque psoriasis without GPP and 80 patients with GPP, of which 19% also had plaque psoriasis. Total scores for the EuroQol-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), as well as degree of severity within the instruments’ dimensions/questions, were compared between patient groups. Results EQ-5D scores were significantly (p < .01) lower (worse) in patients with GPP (mean [standard deviation (SD)] 0.613 [0.346]) vs. patients with plaque psoriasis (mean [SD] 0.715 [0.274]), indicating lower generic HRQoL of patients with GPP. Significantly (p < .01) higher (worse) total DLQI scores were observed for patients with GPP (mean [SD] 10.6 [8.9]) compared with patients with plaque psoriasis (mean [SD] 7.7 [7.1]), with proportionally more patients with GPP having severe (20% vs. 16%) and very severe (17% vs. 8%) problems. The worsened scores for GPP vs. plaque psoriasis were consistent across EQ-5D dimensions and DLQI questions. Conclusions Individuals with GPP have a considerable impairment in both generic and dermatology-specific HRQoL. The HRQoL was significantly worse in individuals with GPP compared to individuals with plaque psoriasis. The significant HRQoL impairment of GPP shows the potential value of better healthcare interventions for this multisystem disease.