PARE0008 Survey results from a nationwide online awareness campaign suggest a clear difference in treatment and perception of quality of healthcare for patients diagnosed with psoriasis arthritis, psa, versus patients with symptoms similar to psoriasis arthritis i.e. psoriasis and joint pain
Authors: N. Unesi, E.-M. Dufva, L. Håkansson
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2018)

<h3>Background</h3> Psoriasis arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory joint disease closely linked to psoriasis in the skin. The need for increased knowledge of PsA is extensive in both the public and in healthcare in Sweden. For that reason Swedish Rheumatism Association, Swedish Psoriasis Association and health portal company NetDoktor, with support from Novartis, initiated a web-based awareness campaign, which included a survey, in April 2017. On December 17, approximately 12,500 people, of which about 4,000 with the diagnosis PsA and 8,500 with psoriasis and joint pain, had taken part of the material. Of these, approximately 2,400 people participated fully and provided detailed information on how they view their disease and the care they are offered. <h3>Objectives</h3> Raise awareness and educate about to PsA aimed specifically to people with PsA or with symptoms consistent with the diagnosis – but also relatives, healthcare professionals and the interested public. <h3>Methods</h3> The awareness campaign consisted of five lessons that provided participants with increased knowledge about PsA, and a survey about their experience of healthcare. The survey gave us a foundation to address the deficiencies in healthcare, and in patient needs. The lessons highlighted the following issues: background, causes, symptoms, comorbidity, diagnostics, drug treatment and prognosis. <h3>Results</h3> The average waiting time for a diagnosis among the survey participants was 3,5 years. Every fourth person had waited 5 years or more, and over 10 percent waited more than 10 years for a diagnosis. The survey showed remarkable differences in life quality between people who have a diagnosis and people who do not have a PsA diagnosis or who have not yet received one: <b>1. Many are without diagnosis and treatment</b> High proportion of undiagnosed patients have symptoms indicating PsA. Many have suffered a long time from joint related pain and sought out treatment from a number of doctors. 3 out of 4 with joint pain have negative or very negative experiences of healthcare related to their joint pain. The survey participants indicated that they suffer from waiting a long time for healthcare. <b>2. Major differences in perception of care and treatment</b> Statistics on overall satisfaction with healthcare show remarkable differences that can be linked to getting a diagnosis. People with joint pain but without a PsA diagnosis indicate a great dissatisfaction with the care they receive. People who have been diagnosed with PsA are overall quite satisfied with the care and treatment they receive after getting a diagnosis. <b>3. High use of opiate remedies for pain</b> The use of pain reliever opiate drugs is remarkably high in the group with joint pain but without the diagnosis of PsA. Also very high use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Given that the prevalence for psoriasis arthritis in Sweden is between 10 000 -30 000 people, it is likely that the awareness campaign reached a considerable number of people with the diagnosis or with symptoms similar to it. The longer the patient goes without adequate healthcare the worse the disease gets. If untreated it could lead to permanent joint damage. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to slow down the disease. <h3>References</h3> www.HarDuPsoriasisartrit.se <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> None declared