Healthcare of patients with atopic dermatitis by general practitioners - a nationwide survey in Germany.

Background And Objectives: Epidemiological studies on the health care of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) in dermatological treatment in Germany indicate no improvements within 10 years. In addition to dermatologists, general practitioners (GPs) are particularly involved in AD treatment. This study analyzed the health care situation of adult patients with AD by GPs.

Dermatology Life Quality Index in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis: Are "Not Relevant" Responses Relevant?

Introduction: According to the DLQI user manual, the patients' answers "not relevant" (NR) and "not at all" (affected in this aspect of life by the skin problem) are treated equally and interpreted as no impairment in health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of this study was to gain more insights about "NR" responders with atopic dermatitis (AD).

Methods: A total of 3,353 patients with AD, recruited from dermatological offices and a patient organisation, were surveyed in three cross-sectional studies.

PsoBarrier EU study: a Multicentre, Cross-sectional Survey Investigating the Quality of Psoriasis Care in Four European Countries.

Enhanced treatment options for psoriasis and growing use of guidelines increased the potential to better quality of psoriasis care in Europe. The aim of the PsoBarrier EU study is to compare the quality and processes of psoriasis care in four European countries with different healthcare systems, based on validated quality indicators. This cross-sectional survey was conducted in dermatology centres in Denmark, Germany, Poland and Spain on 1,304 patients, using standardized patient and physician questionnaires.

Development of a Specific Variant of Patient Benefit Index (PBI) Assessing Patient Needs, Goals and Benefits in Rosacea Treatment.

Introduction: Evaluation of patient-reported outcomes including health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and perceived benefits from treatment has become a fundamental component of medical decision-making. Standardized evaluation of treatment benefits in rosacea based on patient preferences is still lacking.

Objective: Development and validation of an instrument for recording patient-defined benefits in rosacea therapy based on the Patient Benefit Index (PBI) methodology.

Psoriasis care in Germany: do patients who receive better care travel longer?

Background: Large variations in the quality of psoriasis care lead to patients being willing to bypass the nearest physician to receive higher quality of care. However, it remains unknown whether actual travel time is associated with quality of care. This study aimed to identify perceived quality of care determinants for travel time to the physician among patients with psoriasis in Germany.

Development and Validation Features of the Patient Benefit Index for the Treatment of Allergic Rhinoconjunctivitis with Allergen Immunotherapy.

Purpose: Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC) is one of the most common diseases worldwide. Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is the only causal treatment available so far. Due to health policy provisions, the assessment of treatment benefit from the patient's perspective is of high relevance.

Adherence to Guideline-Oriented Preventive Measures in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis in Germany.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that is often associated with comorbidities and quality of life losses. The implementation of evidence-based preventive measures strengthens patient participation and offers the potential to improve quality of care for AD.

Objectives: To assess adherence to guideline-oriented preventive measures in adult patients with AD in dermatological routine care in Germany.

Disease burden and treatment needs of patients with psoriasis in sexually-sensitive and visible body areas: results from a large-scale survey in routine care.

Psoriasis may cause considerable disease burden. The involvement of sexually-sensitive/visible body areas has been associated with decreased quality of life (QoL), more depressive symptoms and stigmatisation experiences. To characterise the topical distribution of psoriasis in sexually-sensitive and visible areas, to examine its impact on QoL and to determine which specific patient needs should be addressed in routine care.

Characteristics and determinants of patient burden and needs in the treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria.

Background: Treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is founded on evidence-based guidelines. However, specific patient needs and benefits of therapy have not been outlined at the guideline level.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to characterise the specific needs and treatment goals in chronic spontaneous urticaria from the patient's perspective.

Sex-related impairment and patient needs/benefits in anogenital psoriasis: Difficult-to-communicate topics and their impact on patient-centred care.

Genital psoriasis affects 2-5% of psoriasis patients; generalised plaque or intertriginous psoriasis also affects the genital area in 29-40% of cases. Anogenital psoriasis has been associated with significant quality of life impairments, but little is known about specific patient needs/treatment goals. This study aimed to examine the overall and sex-related disease burden, patient needs and treatment benefits in patients with anogenital psoriasis, compared to patients with psoriasis not affecting the anal/genital areas.

Benefits of a membership in a psoriasis patient organisation: a quasi-experimental longitudinal study.

Background And Objectives: Patient organisations play an important role in supporting patients with chronic diseases and allow information transfer beyond professional care structures. Until now, only few studies have investigated the benefits of a dermatological patient organisation. In this study, potential benefits of joining the German Psoriasis Association (Deutscher Psoriasis Bund e.

Clinical course, treatment modalities, and quality of life in patients with congenital melanocytic nevi - data from the German CMN registry.

Background: Congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) are associated with mental stress as well as medical risks for those affected. The German CMN registry was initiated in 2005. Herein, we present results from an interim analysis focusing on disease course, treatment modalities, and quality of life.

Krankheitsverlauf, medizinische Versorgung und Lebensqualität von Patienten mit kongenitalen melanozytären Nävi - Auswertung des deutschsprachigen KMN-Registers.

Hintergrund: Kongenitale melanozytäre Nävi (KMN) bedeuten für Patienten und Familien eine psychologische Belastung und bergen zudem medizinische Risiken. Das 2005 gegründete deutschsprachige KMN-Register wurde nun einer Zwischenauswertung bezüglich des Krankheitsverlaufes, der medizinischen Versorgung und der Lebensqualität unterzogen.

Patienten Und Methodik: 100 Patienten, die sich in den Jahren 2005 bis 2012 mit einem Erstmeldebogen registriert hatten, wurde im Rahmen einer prospektiven Kohortenstudie Anfang 2013 ein Folgemeldebogen zugesandt.

Quality of psoriasis care in Germany: results of the national health care study "PsoHealth3".

Two national surveys conducted in 2005 and 2007 indicated deficits in psoriasis care and induced the composition of the ''National Goals for Health Care in Psoriasis 2010-2015''. The aim of this work was to (1) evaluate the quality of care for patients with psoriasis in Germany, (2) compare this with prior psoriasis studies PsoHealth1 (2005) and PsoHealth2 (2007), and (3) review the implementation of national treatment goals. By means of a cross sectional study the following indicators of health care quality were collected: psoriasis severity (Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) and proportion of PASI >20), quality of life (Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) were corporated: proportion of DLQI >10), previous systemic treatment, inpatient treatment, and days absent from work due to psoriasis.

Prevalence of Obesity in Patients with Psoriasis: Results of the National Study PsoHealth3.

Background: Psoriasis is frequently associated with obesity which possibly contributes to reduced treatment response.

Objectives: Assessment of the prevalence of obesity in patients with psoriasis in Germany 2013/2014.

Patients And Methods: The frequency of overweight and obesity was assessed by the body mass index (BMI) and evaluated according to the severity of psoriasis [Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI)].

Influence of learning disabilities on the tumour predisposition syndrome NF1--survey from adult patients' perspective.

Aim: To analyze psychosocial burdens associated with neurofibromatosis type-1 (NF1) phenotype--visible symptoms, medical complications, learning disabilities (LD)--from patients' perspective with focus on LD.

Patients And Methods: A survey of 228 adult patients with NF1 was carried-out. Symptoms to estimate disease severity and visibility, and learning disability were assessed.

Therapeutic benefits in atopic dermatitis care from the patients' perspective: results of the German national health care study 'Atopic Health'.

Background/aims: Numerous therapies are recommended to treat atopic dermatitis. The German national health care study 'Atopic Health' generated nationwide data on the care situation from the patients' perspective.

Methods: Data for 1,678 adult patients were collected within a retrospective cohort study throughout the year 2010.

Drug supply for psoriasis - results from a national pharmacy network.

Background: In Germany, drugs are to a large extent provided by pharmacies. Thus, investigations in pharmacies permit drug usage studies both on patients receiving prescribable drugs and using self-medication. The current study evaluated the quality of medical care, disease burden and spectrum of treatments for patients with psoriasis in a nationwide network of pharmacies.

Nail psoriasis as a severity indicator: results from the PsoReal study.

Background: Although nail psoriasis affects a substantial proportion of psoriasis patients and causes significant psychologic distress, few epidemiologic data characterizing patients with nail involvement are available. The aim of this research was to elucidate differences between patients with nail psoriasis and those without any nail involvement, taking quality indicators of health care from the patient's perspective into account.

Methods: In total, 2449 patient members of the Deutscher Psoriasis Bund, the largest patient organization for psoriasis in Germany, were interviewed in this nationwide, noninterventional, cross-sectional study.

Quality of psoriasis care from the patients' perspective--results of the national health care study PsoReal.

Background: Two national surveys conducted in 2005 and 2007 indicated deficits in psoriasis care in Germany, although a significant improvement could be observed. When assessing health care provision it is crucial to take the patient's perspective into consideration. Therefore different approaches may be necessary.

Psychological burden in adult neurofibromatosis type 1 patients: impact of disease visibility on body image.

Aim: To evaluate the impact of disease visibility on psychological stress factors in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and to explore the body image of NF1 patients.

Methods: 228 adult NF1 patients participated in this cross-sectional survey. The questionnaire assessed perceived disease visibility and patients' body image.