Treatment non-compliance is a significant problem in battling psoriasis

Noncompliance with treatments is a significant and widespread problem for chronic skin diseases like psoriasis, and increasing compliance would improve outcomes, writes Steven Feldman, M.D., Ph.D., of the Wake Forest University School of Medicine, in an editorial published in the current issue of Archives of Dermatology:

Sometimes, patients consider treatment the worst part of the disease. For example, scalp psoriasis may seem resistant to treatment, he said. Actually, psoriasis treatments probably work better on the scalp than on other areas of the skin, if patients would just apply the medication.

Rather than having patients continually try new treatments for scalp psoriasis, he suggests having patients try the treatment for three to four days.

"It is much easier to be compliant for three or four days than for eight weeks," Feldman said. "After that, patients will know they have a treatment that works and will use it as needed to keep their scalp psoriasis under control."

He also points to the importance of a good doctor-patient relationship:

In addition to considering the form of therapy that patients are most likely to use, Feldman said the patient-physician relationship is an important part of the equation. He said research shows that if patients are satisfied with their physician visit three days afterwards, they are more likely to report an improvement in their condition a month later.

"Patients who are more satisfied with their visit are more trusting of their doctor, worry less about adverse effects and use their medication more regularly," he said.

Dr. Feldman is a passionate advocate for psoriasis patients, and appeared on our first ever Psoriasis Cure Now Podcast exactly one year ago today. He addressed patient compliance, and a host of other issues, in that podcast. Check it out!