Background. The aim of the study is to investigate psoriasis patients’ knowledge about the treatment of their disease.
Material and methods. In 2016 at the Vilnius University Hospital Centre of Dermatovenereology was conducted a survey which involved 121 patients. The original anonymous questionnaire consisted of 32 questions. The data were processed usjng SPSS 24.0 software. Results considered reliable at p<0.05.
Results. 59 women (48.8%) and 62 men (51.2%) completed the questionnaire. It turned out that of the 52 patients using emollients 80.8% (n=42) don’t know that they help to penetrate local drugs, while 34.6% (n=18) - how to use them. Women know better what emollients are (p=0.031) and that should be applied after bathing (p=0.024). Of the 60 patients who were treated with keratolytic agents, 30% (n=18) don’t know about the effect of salicylic acid. Of the 89 patients using local corticosteroids only 25.8% (n=23) do it properly. Women know better, that they should be carefully applied to the face (p=0.018). 57.3% (n=51) don’t know the effect of local corticosteroids, 44.9% (n=40) - how to use it safely. The best-known side effects of phototherapy are burns (men know better, p=0.042) and skin cancer (more educated patients know better, p=0.037). 22.4% (n=15) don’t know about the side effects of phototherapy. Of the 28 patients treated with methotrexate 50% (n=14) don’t know the safe dose, 17.9% (n=5) - that drinking alcohol is prohibited during treatment. 13.2% (n=16) don’t comply with treatment. Most of the information about the disease patients receive from the doctor and the Internet (84.3%, n=102 and 64.5%, n=78). 40.5% of respondents say that they have sufficient knowledge but 89.3% (n=108) would like to know more.
Conclusion. The study found psoriasis patients with a lack of intormation about the treatment of the disease and according to their knowledge number of non-compliant patients should be higher.
