Comorbidities and Medication Use in Finnish Patients with Psoriasis: A Population-Based Registry Study

Therapeutic options for psoriasis vulgaris have changed during recent decades with the introduction of biologics. Few nationwide studies are available on psoriasis treatment patterns, and those from Finland predate the use of biologics. The aim of this retrospective, population-based registry study was to identify patients with psoriasis vulgaris and their treatment patterns in the secondary care setting in Finland. The study cohort included 41,456 adults with a diagnosis of psoriasis vulgaris in the public secondary healthcare setting from 2012 through 2018. Data on comorbidities, pharmacotherapy, and phototherapy were collected from nationwide healthcare and drug registries. Patients in the cohort had a wide range of comorbidities, with 14.9% having psoriatic arthritis. Treatment was based largely on topical and conventional systemic medications. Conventional medications were used by 28.9% of patients, and methotrexate was the most common option (20.9%). Biologics were used by 7.3% of patients, mostly as second- and third-line treatment. The use of conventional systemic medications, topical treatments, and phototherapy decreased after the initiation of biologics. This study of psoriasis vulgaris in Finland provides a framework for the development of future care practices. SIGNIFICANCE This population-based study identified adult patients with psoriasis vulgaris (psoriasis) and their treatment patterns in the secondary care setting in Finland. The results indicate that patients with psoriasis had a wide range of comorbidities, with 15% having psoriatic arthritis. Treatment was based largely on topical treatments. Conventional systemic (oral) medications were used by approximately 30% and biological treatments by 7% of patients. The results provide important information on psoriasis patients and their current treatment patterns and form a framework for the development of future care practices for psoriasis in Finland.