Sex-specific differences in the treatment of severe psoriasis

Background: Psoriasis treatment requires consideration of patient-specific concerns In addition to the severity of skin involvement. There may be sex-specific differences in the treatment of severe psoriasis. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether there are sex-specific differences in the treatment of severe psoriasis. Methods: We analyzed the medications prescribed to patients with a primary find only diagnosis of psoriasis recorded in the 1990-1994 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. Results: There were 8.5 million visits to physicians for the treatment of: psoriasis in the pars 1990-1994. These visits were made by approximately 4.3 million women and 4.1 million men. Only 39% of patients receiving systemic treatments were women. Women received less methotrexate (23% women) and etretinate (35% women) than men, but more psoralen photochemotherapy (PUVA) (63% women) and isotretinoin (100% women) than men. In contrast, there was no notable difference by sex in the potency of topical corticosteroid agents prescribed. Conclusion: For mild disease treated with topical agents alone, there is no notable difference in the treatment of men and women. Men are more likely than women to receive: intensive treatments for severe psoriasis, at least in part because of the teratogenic potential of these treatments. There is a need for development of new treatments for severe psoriasis that: are safe for women of child bearing potential.