Family planning and pregnancy among patients with psoriasis: incorporating the patients' voice in healthcare practice and information provision.

Aim: Having psoriasis and being treated with medication could raise concerns regarding family planning and pregnancy (FPP), and no guidelines are available on healthcare practice and information provision regarding FPP for these patients. This study aims to gain insight in the perspectives of patients with psoriasis on this important subject.

Methods

A cross-sectional questionnaire study including adult female and male patients with psoriasis, independent of their treatment type.

Results

A total of 102 patients responded to the questionnaire (70% females, 30% males), of whom 47.1% have ever used biologic therapy. Respondents preferred dermatologists or general practitioners (GPs) as information provider. Patients would like to receive FPP information on fertility, heredity of psoriasis, use of psoriasis medication, and - specifically for females- the course of psoriasis during and after pregnancy and breastfeeding. Timing of FPP information provision was preferable at moment of diagnosis and medication changes or upon explicit request.

Conclusion

Dermatologists and GPs have a crucial role in providing FPP information. The findings of this study have provided hands-on guidance for healthcare professionals to improve healthcare for both female and male patients with psoriasis in the reproductive age.