Predictors of diagnostic delay in psoriasis identified

Diagnostic delay is common for patients with psoriasis and is increased for men and with psoriasis in specific areas, according to a study recently published online in the British Journal of Dermatology.

Mia-Louise Nielsen, from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, and colleagues surveyed 2,142 dermatologist-verified patients with psoriasis during 2020 to examine diagnostic delay and identify predictors of diagnostic delay.

The researchers found that 43.5 percent of patients had a diagnostic delay of less than a year, and 22.1, 17, 7, 6, and 4.3 percent waited one to two, two to five, five to 10, 10 to 20, and >20 years, respectively, to see a dermatologist. For female and male patients with dermatologist-verified psoriasis, the mean diagnostic delay was 2.7 and 3.9 years, respectively. Patients who reported never having had an affected body surface area of ≥3 percent had a longer diagnostic delay than those with more extensive psoriasis. A significantly longer diagnostic delay was seen for patients with psoriasis in specific areas (head, face, hands, feet, and genitals) compared with those without psoriasis in specific areas. Individuals with a longer diagnostic delay had a higher current Dermatology Life Quality Index.

Source: Read Full Article