Treating to Target—A Realistic Goal in Psoriasis?

New Treatment Paradigms in Psoriasis: Understanding and Incorporating Recent and Emerging Trends

Treating to Target—A Realistic Goal in Psoriasis?

Mar
2018
Vol. 37. No. 2
Kenneth B. Gordon, MD | April W Armstrong, MD, MPH | M. Alan Menter, MD | Jashin J. Wu, MD
For many patients, the new biologic therapies for psoriasis can improve Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores in a relatively short time. But when results are less than optimal, patients often become frustrated. By providing effective medical treatment using a treat-to-target strategy, clinicians can relieve symptoms and halt disease progression. Although body surface area (BSA) and PASI scores are appropriate for analyzing results of clinical trials, clinicians need to use more patient-centered assessments of patients’ progress such as the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and Psoriasis Symptom Inventory (PSI), as well as other validated patient-reported outcomes, which can enable them to set realistic and achievable goals for individual patients.
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