Around 2-3% of the population suffer from psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease. It often follows an intermittent course associated with severe itching. © RFBSIP/stock.adobe.com
Around 2-3% of the population suffer from psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory skin disease. It often follows an intermittent course associated with severe itching. © RFBSIP/stock.adobe.com
Expectation-induced improvement in the treatment outcome of psoriasis patients in terms of pain, itching and quality of life.
Psoriasis is a hereditary, non-contagious, chronic inflammatory skin disease, which can also affect the joints in the form of arthritis. It severely impairs the quality of life of those affected. Studies suggest that factors such as stress or anxiety can influence the course of inflammatory skin diseases and the development of itching and pain. Can positive patient expectations be selectively induced and then used to relieve the symptoms and reduce the required dose of medication?
Expectation-induced improvement in the treatment outcome of psoriasis patients in terms of pain, itching and quality of life
This proof-of-concept study will systematically modulate psoriasis patient expectations of treatment with the anti-IL-17 monoclonal antibody secukinumab. The objective is to increase the efficacy of the treatment and at the same time reduce the dose of the medication at a subjective (particularly itching, pain and quality of life) and physiological level (particularly the severity of the skin lesions).
Recommended reading:
Goebel MU, Meykadeh N, Kou W, Schedlowski M, Hengge UR (2008) Behavioral conditioning of antihistamine effects in patients with allergic rhinitis. Psychother Psychosom 77:227-234. PubMed
Hadamitzky M, Lückemann L, Pacheco-Lopez G, Schedlowski M (2019) Pavlovian conditioning of immunological and neuroendocrine functions. Physiol Rev 100(1):357-405. PubMed
Sondermann W, Schreiber A, Körber A, Fiege O, Scherbaum N, Benson S, Schedlowski M (2020) Psychosocial burden and body mass index are associated with dermatology-related quality of life in psoriasis patients. Eur J Dermatol 30(2):140-147. doi: 10.1684/ejd.2020.3755.PMID: 32538356. PubMed
In close cooperation with these projects
A10
What impact do negative experiences have on the potential side effects of a treatment?
Prof. Dr. Harald Engler
Prof. Dr. Manfred Schedlowski
A15
Does anxiety intensify the discontinuation symptoms of antidepressants?
Prof. Dr. Yvonne Nestoriuc
Prof. Dr. Tilo Kircher
A16
What impact does medical information have on the outcome of treatment for depression?
Prof. Dr. Winfried Rief
Project Lead
Prof. Dr. Manfred Schedlowski
Psychologist
PD Dr. Wiebke Sondermann
Dermatologist
Team
Stefanie Hölsken
Psychologist, PhD Student
Dr. Frederik Krefting
Clinician Scientist, Dermatology Registrar