medwireNews: Researchers have identified discrepancies between patient and physician perspectives of bother associated with the different symptoms of psoriatic disease.
In a survey of 200 patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) or psoriasis, 150 rheumatologists, and 150 dermatologists, the patients and physicians both rated joint pain, soreness, and tenderness among the most bothersome symptoms of psoriatic disease.
However, patients considered painful skin to be more bothersome than painful, sore, or tender joints, whereas physicians considered skin manifestations to be less bothersome than these joint problems, say Brett Hauber (RTI Health Solutions, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA) and the DISCONNECT study team.
There were also some discrepancies between the different specialists, with dermatologists perceiving skin symptoms to be more bothersome than rheumatologists did.
“Both physician specialists should ask patients which manifestations of psoriatic disease are most bothersome to them, as these discussions may have important implications for drug and other patient management options,” conclude the researchers in Arthritis Research & Therapy.
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