Largest global psoriasis
survey shows 85% of U.S. respondents faced social stigma like discrimination
and humiliation because of their skin
- Global survey,
including more than 1,400 U.S. moderate-to-severe psoriasis patients, is the
first to look at perceptions of clear skin1
- Despite the significant
impact of living with the disease, 52% of U.S. respondents do not believe clear
or almost clear skin is a realistic goal1
- Leading experts call
for psoriasis patients to talk to their dermatologist. For personal assistance
in managing psoriasis contact the National Psoriasis Foundation's Patient
Navigation Center at psoriasis.org/navigationcenter
EAST HANOVER, N.J., June
29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --Novartis today released new results from its Clear About
Psoriasis Survey, the largest global survey to date of people with
moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Findings reveal 85% of U.S. respondents have
suffered from social stigma like discrimination and humiliation because of
their disease. In addition, U.S. results from the global survey show that 52%
of psoriasis patients do not believe clear skin is a realistic goal for
them.(1)
The survey, which is the
first of its kind to explore perceptions of clear skin in psoriasis, was
completed by over 8,300 people from 31 countries, including 1,415 from the
U.S.(1) With 25 groups from around the world, this is the largest collaboration
between Novartis and patient organizations to develop and conduct a patient
survey.
"The National
Psoriasis Foundation is proud to partner with Novartis and other patient
advocacy organizations around the globe to further highlight the daily
challenges faced by those living with psoriasis," said Randy Beranek,
president and CEO, National Psoriasis Foundation. "By participating in this
survey, we hope to empower patients to work with their dermatologists to
achieve a goal of clear or almost clear skin, which will assist in overcoming
the impact of the social stigma of this disease."
The survey reveals nearly
half (48%) of U.S. respondents have been asked if they are contagious, 45%
reported they have been stared at while out in public and 48% noted they needed
to do additional housework including cleaning up flakes or washing bloody or
stained sheets.(1)
The devastating effect psoriasis
can have on personal lives and people's emotional health was also revealed,
with the survey showing 21% of respondents admit to hiding themselves away from
the world. Additionally, 30% of respondents reported being diagnosed with
depression and 27% diagnosed with anxiety.(1)
"My goal in joining
the steering committee to develop the Clear About Psoriasis Survey was to not
only reveal the deeper impact of psoriasis in a patient's life, but to also
help ignite conversations between dermatologists and their patients," said
April Armstrong, MD, MPH, Associate Dean for Clinical Research, Keck School of
Medicine, University of Southern California and Medical Board Member for the
National Psoriasis Foundation. "As a dermatologist, I was concerned to
learn that so many psoriasis sufferers don't think clear or almost clear skin
is a possibility, which reinforces the importance of patients talking to their
dermatologists."
The impact of psoriasis
can extend beyond the individual living with the disease and can affect loved
ones. More than half of U.S. survey respondents (51%) noted that psoriasis has
impacted past or current relationships. It can be specifically difficult on
intimate relationships, with less than one-third (28%) stating they feel their
partner loves them just the way they are.(1)
Psoriasis patients are
encouraged to work closely with their dermatologist on managing their disease.
More information and support is available through the National Psoriasis
Foundation's Patient Navigation Center, a personalized support center for
people living with psoriasis. More information can be found at
www.psoriasis.org/navigationcenter.
About psoriasis
Affecting about 7.5
million Americans, psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated disease characterized
by thick and extensive skin lesions (plaques), which can cause itching,
scaling, and pain.(2) Patients reported these symptoms can negatively impact
their quality of life, both psychosocially and physically, which makes daily
functioning difficult.(3,4,5) Additionally, patients with psoriasis are at
increased risk for other chronic illnesses.(6)
About the survey
Novartis initiated and
funded the survey, which was conducted by the market research company
Gesellschaft für Konsumforschung (GfK) Switzerland. The survey was supported by
a prestigious steering committee of medical experts from around the world. With
8,338 participants, including 1,415 patients from the U.S., this is the largest
survey to date of people living with moderate-to-severe psoriasis and is the
first survey of its kind to focus on what achieving clear skin means to the
quality of life for people with psoriasis. The results of the survey will be
submitted for publication in a clinical journal and will be presented at the
25(th) European Association of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress.
Participants in the
survey come from the following 31 countries; Argentina, Australia, Austria,
Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France,
Germany, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands,
Norway, Portugal, Romania, Russia, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan,
Turkey, UK and the U.S.
As with any survey, there
are certain limitations that should be considered when reviewing the data. The
Clear About Psoriasis Survey included patients who voluntarily participated,
which means they agreed to sharing personal information, in general or related
to their condition. Patients were recruited through both online panels and
patient advocacy groups. Those recruited through panels had previously signed
up to participate in market research. Participants recruited through patient
advocacy groups had been engaged with the groups in some way, such as accessing
their website or signed up for a newsletter distribution list. An online
methodology was used, which may have limited the participation of some
respondents, including older, hard to reach participants with limited access to
computers or the internet. Psoriasis scoring, although user friendly and with
visual aids, was self-reported. Respondents were provided the option of
skipping sensitive questions.
Disclaimer
This press release
contains expressed or implied forward-looking statements, including statements
that can be identified by terminology such as "goal," "call
for," "hope," "will," "can,"
"encouraged," "should," or similar expressions. Such
forward-looking statements reflect the current views of the Group regarding
future events, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any
future results expressed or implied by such statements. These expectations
could be affected by, among other things, risks and factors referred to in the
Risk Factors section of Novartis AG's current Form 20-F on file with the US
Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in
this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to
update it in the future.
About Novartis
Located in East Hanover,
New Jersey, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation is an affiliate of Novartis
AG, which provides innovative healthcare solutions that address the evolving
needs of patients and societies. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis
offers a diversified portfolio to best meet these needs: innovative medicines,
eye care and cost-saving generic pharmaceuticals. Novartis is the only global
company with leading positions in these areas. In 2015, the Group achieved net
sales of USD 49.4 billion, while R&D throughout the Group amounted to
approximately USD 8.9 billion (USD 8.7 billion excluding impairment and
amortization charges). Novartis Group companies employ approximately 118,000
full-time-equivalent associates. Novartis products are available in more than
180 countries around the world. For more information, please visit
http://www.novartis.com.
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References
1. Novartis Data on File. June 2016.
2. National Psoriasis Foundation. Psoriasis
fact sheet.
https://www.psoriasis.org/sites/default/files/publications/PsoriasisFactS
heet.pdf. Accessed February 29, 2016.
3. Rapp SR, Feldman SR, Exum ML, Fleischer
AB, Jr., Reboussin DM. Psoriasis
causes as much disability as other major
medical diseases. J Am Acad
Dermatol. 1999;41(3 Pt 1):401-407.
4. Martinez-Garcia E, Arias-santiago S.
Quality of life in persons living
with psoriasis patients. J Am Acad
Dermatol. 2014;71:302-7.
5. Mease P, Menter M. Quality-of-life issues
in psoriasis and psoriatic
arthritis: outcome measures and therapies
from a dermatological
perspective. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2006;
54:685-704.
6. National Psoriasis Foundation.
Comorbidities associated with psoriatic
disease. https://www.psoriasis.org/about-psoriasis/related-conditions.
Accessed February 29, 2016.