New findings from Johnson & Johnson’s global ENCOMPASS study have revealed significant unmet needs, as well as patient and provider treatment preferences, in psoriasis.

The study was comprised of a survey of 400 adults and 200 adolescents living with psoriasis, as well as 200 dermatology providers. It found that psoriasis carried a high disease burden, severely impacting patient quality of life (QoL). Over half of adult patients reported a “very large” or “extremely large” QoL impact, and 71% of 16 to 17-year-olds and 77% of 12 to 15-year-olds also reported large or extremely large impact.

Issues that were reported as contributing to disease burden included: skin symptoms; severity; lesion location; lack of effective treatments; mental health and impact on social activities.

The study also gathered treatment preferences from both patients and providers. Both were found to prefer oral treatments, followed by topical and injectable treatments. If efficacy, safety and tolerability were equivalent among modes of administration, providers said they would prefer oral therapies.

Patients currently receiving injectable treatments expressed their willingness to switch to oral treatment if an equally safe and effective oral treatment was found.

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated disease where over-production of skin cells leads to dry, itchy and inflamed skin. As well as causing physical discomfort and pain, psoriasis can cause embarrassment, social isolation and anxiety, particularly on highly visible areas of the body.

Meredith Hans Moore, vice president global medical affairs immunology at Johnson & Johnson, said: “Delivering on our commitment to understand the expectations of patients and healthcare providers involves actively seeking input. 

“These initial study findings uncover important insights around the unmet need that remains for oral psoriasis therapies that meet patients’ clinical and daily life needs.”