OBJECTIVES : To describe involvement and satisfaction with setting treatment goals in a subset of PsO patients with co-morbid psoriatic arthritis (PsA) from the ‘Closer Together’ survey.

METHODS : ‘Closer Together’ was an international online survey to map perception and satisfaction towards treatment in patients with self-reported psoriasis, including those with co-morbid PsA. Respondents were recruited through patient panels. The survey included questions relating to treatment goals; patients were provided with a choice of answer statements. Patient satisfaction was rated on a 7-point scale (1=extremely dissatisfied; 7=extremely satisfied).

RESULTS : Overall, 13% (296/2361) respondents from 22 countries had patient-reported psoriasis and co-morbid PsA. When this subset started their current treatment (biologic therapy for 55%), 181 patients (61%) reported setting treatment goals with their physician. Of those without treatment goals (n=115), 17% reported pro-actively asking to set goals but this had not happened (n=15) or was refused (n=4). Of the 181 patients with treatment goals, 84% reported having some input in goal setting: 40% reported having equal input with their physician, 34% reported some input although their physician mainly set the goals, while 10% mainly/solely set the goals themselves. However, 33% with treatment goals reported that their goals did not meet expectations. Mean [SD] satisfaction with level of involvement in goal setting was 5.1 [1.4] for all PsA patients (5.4 [1.2] and 4.6 [1.6] for those taking and not taking biologic therapy, respectively) and satisfaction with the goals set was 5.1 (1.6) for all with PsA (5.4 [1.4] and 4.5 [1.7] for those taking and not taking biologic therapy, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS : These results show approximately two-thirds of this subset of patients with PsA did set treatment goals, with the majority having input in goal setting. Despite this, approximately one-third of patients with treatment goals felt unsatisfied with the goals that were set.