Non-adherence to systemic immune-modifying therapy in people with psoriasis during the COVID-19 pandemic: findings from a global cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND: Non-adherence to immune-modifying therapy is a complex behaviour which, before the COVID-19 pandemic, was shown to be associated with mental health disorders in people with immune-mediated diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a rise in the global prevalence of anxiety and depression, and limited data exist on the association between mental health and non-adherence to immune modifying therapy during the pandemic.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the extent of and reasons underlying non-adherence to systemic immune-modifying therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic in individuals with psoriasis, and the association between mental health and non-adherence.

METHODS: Online self-report surveys (PsoProtectMe), including validated screens for anxiety and depression, were completed globally during the first year of the pandemic. We assessed the association between anxiety or depression and non-adherence to systemic immune-modifying therapy using binomial logistic regression, adjusting for potential cofounders (age, sex, ethnicity, comorbidity), and country of residence.

RESULTS: Of 3980 participants from 77 countries, 1611 (40.5%) were prescribed a systemic immune-modifying therapy. Of these, 408 (25.3%) reported non-adherence during the pandemic, most commonly due to concerns about their immunity. In the unadjusted model, a positive anxiety screen was associated with non-adherence to systemic immune-modifying therapy (OR 1.36, 95%CI 1.07-1.76). Specifically, anxiety was associated with non-adherence to targeted therapy (OR 1.41, 95%CI 1.01-1.96) but not standard systemic therapy (OR 1.16, 95%CI 0.81-1.67). In the adjusted model, although the directions of the effects remained, anxiety was not significantly associated with non-adherence to overall systemic (OR 1.20, 95%CI 0.92-1.56) or targeted (OR 1.33, 95%CI 0.94-1.89) immune-modifying therapy. A positive depression screen was not strongly associated with non-adherence to systemic immune-modifying therapy in the unadjusted (OR 1.22, 95% CI 0.94-1.57) or adjusted models (OR 1.14, 95% CI 0.87-1.49).

CONCLUSION: These data indicate substantial non-adherence to immune-modifying therapy in people with psoriasis during the pandemic, with attenuation of the association with mental health after adjusting for confounders. Future research in larger populations should further explore pandemic-specific drivers of treatment non-adherence. Clear communication of the reassuring findings from population-based research regarding immune-modifying therapy-associated adverse COVID-19 risks to people with psoriasis is essential, to optimise adherence and disease outcomes.