Trends in hospitalization rates for psoriasis flares since the introduction of biologics: a time series in France between 2005 and 2015

[Inpatient care for psoriasis: quo vadis?-A retrospective study at the University Hospitals of Aachen, Bonn, and Essen from 2010 to 2019]

INTRODUCTION

A number of new, highly effective biologic drugs for psoriasis have been approved over the past few decades, which raises the question whether psoriasis is still a disease that requires inpatient treatment.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of inpatient data between 2010 and 2019 (the last 10 years prior to the coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19] pandemic) from three German dermatology departments at university hospitals (Aachen, Bonn, and Essen). The data collected included age, gender, the primary admission diagnosis, length of stay (LOS), and number of all comorbidities recorded during hospitalization.

RESULTS

A total of 59,500 patients were admitted to the three dermatological departments in the defined 10-year period. Of these patients, psoriasis (L40.-) was the main diagnosis for 4322 (7.3%). An almost continuous increase was observed in all inpatient dermatological cases, which was as high as 27% in 2016 compared to 2010. For psoriasis patients, the most substantial increase in the number of admissions was reached in 2016 compared to 2010 and was as high as 45%. While there was a statistically significant reduction of the mean LOS for all dermatological inpatient cases from 6.4 ± 6.6 days in 2010 to 5.1 ± 4.6 days in 2019 (p < 0.001), the decrease in 2019 compared to 2010 (from 12.2 ± 5.5 to 8.9 ± 3.3 days) was significantly greater for the inpatient psoriasis patients compared to the inpatient population overall (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data show a stable need for inpatient psoriasis facilities in Germany. Further analysis of hospital admissions after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic is needed to understand the ongoing influence of modern systemic treatment options on inpatient psoriasis care in Germany.

An analysis of psoriasis hospitalisation in Thailand

Psoriasis hospitalisation is not frequently reported. The objective of this study was to determine (1) the clinical, laboratory and treatment features of patients with psoriasis hospitalised due to flare-up and (2) other causes of admission of patients with psoriasis. We retrospectively reviewed data on 48 patients admitted due to psoriasis flare-up and 1908 patients with psoriasis admitted due to concomitant illnesses or comorbidities. The study period was 2005-2021. The latter group was compared with 821,804 patients without psoriasis admitted during the period. Of the 48 cases, 37.5% had erythroderma, and 62.5% had generalised pustular psoriasis (GPP). Women (68.8%) predominated, especially in the GPP group (76.7%). The mean age of admission with erythroderma (44.8 years) was higher than for GPP (32.1 years). Infection was the main trigger for psoriasis flare-up (46%). Abnormalities in liver function tests were found in 33.3% of the cases. These abnormalities usually subsided 1-2 months after skin improvement (83.4%). Acitretin was the most prescribed drug for GPP (81.4%), whereas topical treatment alone (50%) was the most frequent erythroderma therapy. Intensive care was needed by 9.3% of patients with GPP. In the psoriasis group admitted due to concomitant illnesses or comorbidities, admission due to digestive and infectious causes was significantly higher for psoriasis patients. Our study showed that trend of psoriasis admission due to disease flare-up was not significantly changed even in the era of biologics. We believed that patient education on avoiding the common precipitating factors of psoriasis flare-up and good self-care is mandatory to reduce the risk of hospitalisation.

Inpatient dermatology: Where are we headed? A nationwide population-based study of Spain from 2006 to 2016

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Information about hospital admissions for skin diseases is restricted to studies describing admissions to single centers, to specific wards, or only for a few diagnoses, and there is no information about the outcomes between different wards. The aim of this research is to describe hospital admissions due to dermatological diseases.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Cross-sectional study of hospital discharges at Spanish hospitals. Discharges were assumed to be the same as admissions.

RESULTS

519,440 discharges (1.1 % of total discharges) were identified. Most admissions (60.1 %) were done from emergency departments. Only 7 % of cases were admitted to dermatology wards. The most prevalent group was cellulitis and acute lymphangitis. Median age was 57 years, and men were more common. The median length of hospital stay was four days; 40,823 (7.9 %) cases required readmission. There were 13,558 (2.6 %) hospital deaths. After adjusted analysis (by age, sex and group of diagnosis), the OR of readmission was 1.49 (95 % CI: 1.42-1.57) times higher and length of stay was 0.22 (95 % CI: 0.15-0.29) days longer in non-dermatology wards (P < 0.0001). From 2006-2016, admissions to dermatology wards decreased 38 %, while in non-dermatology wards they increased 8 %.

CONCLUSIONS

A non-negligible number of patients require dermatological inpatient management. This is mainly provided by non-dermatologists. Some of our findings may indicate an improved overall care by dermatologists.

Epidemiology of psoriasis among the elderly population and volume of specialized medical care provided to patients with psoriasis in the Russian Federation in 2010–2019

Background. Population ageing is ongoing in the Russian Federation. Demographic changes may influence the age structure and dynamics of epidemiological rates of chronic skin disorders, as well as the need of elderly patients in specialized medical care. Aims. To study the dynamics of number of cases, incidence and prevalence of psoriasis, and the dynamics of the number of hospital admissions for psoriasis among elderly population (males 60 years and older, females 55 years and older) in 20102019 in the Russian Federation. Materials and methods. Analysis of federal statistic surveillance data, psoriasis prevalence and incidence rates among different age groups of population. Results. In the Russian Federation there is an increase in absolute number of cases, prevalence and incidence rates of psoriasis among elderly population. There is an increase in the number of hospital admissions due to psoriasis among patients with psoriasis of this age. Conclusions. An increase of the number and proportion of cases of psoriasis among elderly population is due to both, an increase of prevalence and incidence rates in this age group and population ageing. There is a high need in specialized medical care among elderly population with psoriasis.

Epidemiology of psoriasis among the elderly population and volume of specialized medical care provided to patients with psoriasis in the Russian Federation in 2010–2019

Background. Population ageing is ongoing in the Russian Federation. Demographic changes may influence the age structure and dynamics of epidemiological rates of chronic skin disorders, as well as the need of elderly patients in specialized medical care. Aims. To study the dynamics of number of cases, incidence and prevalence of psoriasis, and the dynamics of the number of hospital admissions for psoriasis among elderly population (males 60 years and older, females 55 years and older) in 20102019 in the Russian Federation. Materials and methods. Analysis of federal statistic surveillance data, psoriasis prevalence and incidence rates among different age groups of population. Results. In the Russian Federation there is an increase in absolute number of cases, prevalence and incidence rates of psoriasis among elderly population. There is an increase in the number of hospital admissions due to psoriasis among patients with psoriasis of this age. Conclusions. An increase of the number and proportion of cases of psoriasis among elderly population is due to both, an increase of prevalence and incidence rates in this age group and population ageing. There is a high need in specialized medical care among elderly population with psoriasis.