A recent, national survey published in Dermatology and Therapy elucidated the burden of intertriginous plaque psoriasis. Conducted online from October 21 to November 24, 2021, the survey included 507 US adults diagnosed with psoriasis. Of these, 320 (64%) reported symptoms in intertriginous areas, such as the armpit, groin, under the breast, stomach fold, or between the buttocks.

“A gap in the literature has been the lack of studies reporting the specific impact of intertriginous psoriasis, and this study fills that gap by characterizing the negative impact of intertriginous psoriasis on patients’ QOL,” wrote study authors Teri Greiling, MD, PhD, and colleagues.

Patients reported significant emotional and psychological distress. A striking 80% reported feelings of embarrassment, 79% experienced anxiety, and 69% experienced depression due to their condition.

The impact on sexual health was also significant, with 45% indicating that intertriginous psoriasis contributed to sexual anxiety or distress. In particular, groin involvement had a notable impact on QOL, with 16% of patients describing a “very strong negative impact” compared with 6% among those without groin involvement. Additionally, 15% of women versus 6% of men reported a very strong negative impact.

Symptomatically, itch (61%), scaling (53%), redness (49%), and skin cracking (46%) had the greatest negative impacts on QOL. Most patients (86%) expressed a preference for a single treatment option capable of addressing all affected areas.

“Over 6 in 10 patients reported that they do not show HCPs all areas of their body with psoriasis involvement. Approximately onequarter of these patients reported they are too embarrassed to do so, and nearly 1 in 5 did not think the lesions in those areas were psoriasis, perhaps mistaking them for an infection or allergic reaction,” Dr. Greiling and colleagues noted. “The opportunity to discuss the differences in psoriasis presentation with patients and, if possible, conduct a full body exam may help address the proper diagnosis and treatment of patients with intertriginous and genital psoriasis.”

The researchers concluded that intertriginous psoriasis significantly impacts QOL, and clinicians can help address this burden at the point of care.

“These data highlight the opportunity to enhance the dialogue with patients to include discussing how psoriasis can present differently depending on the area of the body, the need for more frequent full body exams to identify psoriasis in these areas, and the appropriate treatment options for psoriasis in these body areas,” Dr. Greiling and colleagues concluded.