“I was almost in disbelief” - qualitative analysis of experiences and expectations among psoriasis patients undergoing biologic treatment with secukinumab
Publication date
2024-06-24
Document type
Forschungsartikel
Author
Hölsken, Stephanie
Benthin, Carina
Krefting, Frederik
Mühlhaus, Senta
Schedlowski, Manfred
Sondermann, Wiebke
Organisational unit
Pubmed ID
ISSN
Series or journal
Patient Preference and Adherence
Periodical volume
18
First page
1299
Last page
1310
Peer-reviewed
✅
Part of the university bibliography
✅
DDC Class
150 Psychologie
Keyword
Doctor-patient relationship
Patient perspective
Psychodermatology
Secukinumab
Treatment success
Abstract
Psoriasis is a highly debilitating chronic inflammatory disease. Increased understanding of its pathophysiology has enabled development of targeted treatments such as biologics. Several medical treatments have been shown to be influenced by patients’ experiences and expectations. However, only little is known about patients’ experiences with and expectations towards biologics. Our objectives were to identify patients’ treatment experiences and treatment expectations and assess their trajectories over the course of treatment with the IL-17A inhibitor secukinumab. Moreover, we aimed to document effects of psoriasis, factors that influence symptomatology, and prior treatment experiences. Patients and Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews with n = 24 patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and employed a qualitative content analysis to derive thematic and evaluative codes. Findings were validated via peer debriefings with experienced dermatologists. Results Patients reported burdensome physical and psychological psoriasis symptoms and identified factors that can improve or worsen symptomatology, including stress and self-efficacy. Prior treatment experiences were mostly negative. Past barriers to effective treatment included time constraints or limited access. Concerning secukinumab, patients initially expected complete to partial remission of symptoms and occurrence or absence of side effects. Closer inspection of expectations and experiences revealed three trajectories. For most patients, initial expectations were met and future expectations remained unchanged. For the other patients, however, the experience did not match their initial expectation. One group then adapted their future expectations according to their experience, while the other group did not. Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first qualitative study to assess expectations towards treatment effectiveness and side effects, their trajectories, and interplay with experiences among psoriasis patients. Our findings highlight the value of further research on the subject in order to optimize care for psoriasis patients and to learn more about the trajectories and influence of treatment expectations in general.
Cite as
Nestoriuc Y, Schedlowski M, Sondermann W. "I Was Almost in Disbelief" - Qualitative Analysis of Experiences and Expectations Among Psoriasis Patients Undergoing Biologic Treatment with Secukinumab. Patient Prefer Adherence. 2024 Jun 24;18:1299-1310. doi: 10.2147/PPA.S458643. PMID: 38947870; PMCID: PMC11213235.
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