Publications

BACKGROUND

While some information on psoriasis impact on pregnancy is available, very little is known on the preoccupations of women afflicted by the disease or on the dermatologists' (D) positioning as to psoriasis and pregnancy. The 'Objectifs Peau' project demonstrated a 4.7% prevalence of psoriasis in women aged 18-45 years in France.

OBJECTIVE

This project sought to further address these issues in view of a targeted action plan.

METHODS

A questionnaire was made available to 361 D of different types.

RESULTS

Overall, 152 D answered the questionnaire, 50.7% working in private or mixed practice and 49.3% in hospitals, with 63% females (DF) and 37% males (DM). Over the last 3 months, the mean percentage of women of child-bearing age seen by these D was 28.6%. The main issue addressed by D upon psoriasis diagnosis was the patient's wish to become pregnant in the short-term (84%), while the compatibility of drug treatment with pregnancy was the issue prioritized by patients (64%). Among DM and DF, 46% and 29% reported having been confronted with an unplanned pregnancy, with their reaction mainly dependent on the treatment taken in 66%. Regarding follow-up, 26% D declared having shared their decision-making with gynaecologists, while 56% considered the first pregnancy trimester to be the highest-risk period. Only 28% D were familiar with existing recommendations, with only 21% of them considering them appropriate.

CONCLUSION

Overall, 26.2% of French psoriasis women are of child-bearing potential, in line with our dataset (28.6%). Only 56% D considered the 1st pregnancy trimester to be the highest-risk period, with only one-third familiar with existing recommendations. The gap between recommendations and actual practices must be addressed through policies that take women's preoccupations better into account.