Factors Influencing Adherence to Phototherapy in Patients With Psoriasis: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Abstract

Aims: Assess the level of adherence to phototherapy and determine what factors influence it.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Methods: This study included a convenience sampling of 72 patients with psoriasis undergoing phototherapy. Data were collected through a self-reported questionnaire with sociodemographic variables, the Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Short Form Health Survey and the Dermatology Life Quality Index. Adherence to the treatment and its ending was measured through a session record.

Results: A small percentage of the participants demonstrated adequate adherence, and nearly half of them had low adherence. The factors statistically significant and with a negative impact on adherence were as follows: having a partner, experiencing anxiety or depression or using public transportation to get to the hospital. The probability of not adhering to the treatment increased when: patients found it difficult to attend therapy; perceiving their mental and physical health as being worse; experiencing anxiety or depression; having a diagnosed mental illness; being a man; or having had the sickness for an extended period of time.

Conclusion: This study determined the level of adherence to phototherapy and advanced our understanding of this variable. Women exhibited higher levels of adherence compared to men, although they reported worse perceived mental and physical health, and the disease had a higher impact on their life.

Implications for the profession and/or patient care: Informing phototherapy nurses on the factors that impact treatment adherence may help to increase the treatment compliance, which may improve psoriasis patients' clinical symptoms.

Impact: Increase the body of knowledge about the treatment that phototherapy nurses administer.

Reporting method: STORBE guidelines.

Patient or public contribution: No patient or public contribution.