Patients With PsA at Risk of Suboptimal Communication About Their Disease

With providers underestimating the impact of psoriatic arthritis (PsA), patients with the disease are at risk for suboptimal communication about their disease. Coates et al published the results of their findings in Rheumatology and Therapy.

Adult patients with PsA and physicians (dermatologists seeing 5 or more patients with PsA, rheumatologists seeing 10 or more) managing this patient population in eight countries were invited to complete an online survey. The survey was 35 to 60 questions to explore patient-provider discussions during appointments, satisfaction with communication, and issues with communication.

In total, 1286 patients (983 managed by a rheumatologist, 303 managed by a dermatologist) and 1553 physicians (795 rheumatologists, 758 dermatologists) completed the survey. A majority of patients reported that their PsA impacts their work, social activity, physical activity, and emotional well-being. While providers recognized these impacts, responses indicated an underestimation of the impact.

Satisfaction with communication was generally considered good, and most patients noted that they are comfortable with discussing concerns with their health and disease with their treating physician. However, more than 40% of patients were at risk of suboptimal communication, meaning they were less likely to report their symptom or their disease impact as well as experience more significant impacts on their health-related quality of life.

“These findings highlight a need for ways to improve communication between patients with PsA and their health care providers,” concluded the authors.

Reference
Coates LC, Azevedo VF, Cappelleri JC, et al. Exploring the quality of communication between patients with psoriatic arthritis and physicians: results of a global online survey. Rheumatol Ther. Published online September 27, 2021. doi:10.1007/s40744-021-00367-z