| Title: |
From skin clearance to psychological wellbeing: real-world outcomes of biologic therapy in psoriasis |
| Authors: |
Cuniberti, Francesco; Miniotti, Marco; Bailon, Mariagiulia; Mastorino, Luca; Ortoncelli, Michela; Picardi, Angelo; Ribero, Simone; Leombruni, Paolo |
| Source: |
Frontiers in Psychology ; volume 17 ; ISSN 1664-1078 |
| Publisher Information: |
Frontiers Media SA |
| Publication Year: |
2026 |
| Collection: |
Frontiers (Publisher - via CrossRef) |
| Description: |
Background Psoriasis impacts psychological and quality-of-life (QoL). While biologic therapies demonstrated robust efficacy in reducing skin lesions, their broader psychosocial impact remains underexplored in real-world settings. This ambispective observational cohort study evaluated clinical, psychological, and health-related QoL (HRQoL) outcomes of biologic therapy in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis treated in routine dermatological practice. Methods A total of 133 patients undergoing biologic therapy at a referral center in Northern Italy were assessed. Baseline data (T0) were retrospectively extracted from medical records, while 6-month follow-up assessments (T1) were conducted prospectively. Clinical severity (PASI), depression (PHQ-9, BSI-18), anxiety and somatization (BSI-18), perceived stress (PSS), dermatology-specific QoL (DLQI), and general HRQoL (WHOQOL-BREF) were evaluated. Regression models identified baseline predictors of T1 psychological and QoL outcomes. Results At follow-up, patients reported significant improvements in psychological wellbeing and QoL. PHQ-9 scores decreased markedly ( p < 0.001), with the prevalence of moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms dropping from 28.6% to 5.3%. Substantial perceived stress (PSS ≥ 27) declined from 15.0% to 1.5%. DLQI scores showed a large effect size ( p < 0.001), with 89.5% reporting minimal impact (DLQI 0–1) at follow-up. Regression analyses identified baseline psychological symptoms as the strongest predictors of follow-up psychological and QoL outcomes. Additional predictors included PASI, female sex, psychiatric comorbidity, and previous biologic therapy. At T1, 77.4% achieved complete skin clearance (PASI 100). Conclusion Biologic therapies confer multidimensional benefits in moderate-to-severe psoriasis, extending beyond skin clearance to substantial reductions in psychological distress and improvements in QoL. These findings support a patient-centered model integrating dermatologic and mental health care. |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| Language: |
unknown |
| DOI: |
10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1735777 |
| DOI: |
10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1735777/full |
| Availability: |
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1735777; https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1735777/full |
| Rights: |
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.3999F408 |
| Database: |
BASE |