PsoBest - The German Psoriasis Registry
The PsoBest study in Germany is like a long-term diary for people with moderate to severe psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis who are starting new medications. Since 2008, it has been tracking around 3,500 patients to see how different treatments, including both older and newer biologic drugs, work over many years. Researchers want to understand the long-term benefits, potential side effects, and how these medicines perform in everyday life, not just in strict clinical trials. This helps doctors learn the best ways to use these treatments and improve care for people living with these conditions.
At a glance
What is this study about?
If you have moderate to severe psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, you might have heard about or even tried different medications. In Germany, doctors often use special prescription medicines, sometimes called 'systemic' treatments, which include traditional drugs and newer 'biologic' therapies. While we know these treatments can help in the short and medium term, there's still a lot to learn about how they work over many years, how safe they are in the long run, and which ones are best for different people in real-life situations outside of very controlled studies.
That's where the PsoBest study comes in. It's a big, ongoing project in Germany that started back in 2008. Think of it as a detailed record-keeping system for about 3,500 patients with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. The main goal is to follow these patients for a long time – up to five years – to understand their journey with these medications. This includes looking at how effective the treatments are, if there are any side effects, and how they impact patients' daily lives and other health conditions.
The study also aims to figure out the best doses to use, whether combining treatments works better, and what might predict if a treatment will be successful for someone. By gathering all this information from a large group of people over many years, PsoBest helps doctors and healthcare providers make better decisions about treatment plans, ultimately aiming to improve the health and well-being of people living with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
Key takeaways
- PsoBest is a long-term study (registry) for people with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis.
- It helps doctors understand how treatments work in real life over many years.
- The study tracks effects, safety, and best ways to use existing approved medications.
- You participate by allowing your doctor to share your health information during regular care.
- Your involvement helps improve future care for many people with these conditions.
Who may be eligible?
To be considered for this study, you would need to be an adult, aged 18 or older. You should have a confirmed diagnosis of plaque-type psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis from a skin doctor (dermatologist).
A very important part of joining is that you must be starting a new systemic medication for your psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis for the very first time. This means if you've already been on the specific medicine they are tracking, you wouldn't be eligible for *this part* of the study.
Finally, you'd need to be able to understand and speak German well enough to give your informed consent and participate fully. If you are already taking part in another clinical trial when you want to join PsoBest, you wouldn't be able to participate at that time.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Are you 18 years old or older?
- Has a skin doctor (dermatologist) diagnosed you with plaque-type psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis?
- Are you about to start a new systemic (prescription) medication for your condition for the very first time?
- Can you understand and speak German well enough to take part?
What does participation involve?
If you join the PsoBest study, you would be followed for up to five years. The researchers would collect information about your health and how your treatment is working. This happens when you first start a new systemic medication for your psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. Even if your treatment changes during those five years, they would continue to collect your health information.
Your dermatologist's office or hospital clinic, if they are part of the study, would be responsible for gathering this data during your routine appointments. There are no extra visits directly for the study; the information is collected as part of your regular care. You won't be given any experimental medications; you'll receive the treatments your doctor prescribes as usual.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- Nationwide group of dermatological centers, hospitals and medical officesVerified postcodeHamburg, Germany· Recruiting
Common questions
What kind of conditions does this study look at?
It focuses on moderate to severe psoriasis (a skin condition) and psoriatic arthritis (a type of arthritis linked to psoriasis).
What types of medicines are being studied?
The study collects information on various systemic medications, including older general treatments and newer 'biologic' drugs.
How long do patients stay in the study?
Patients are typically followed for up to five years, even if their treatment changes during that time.
Do I need to take new or experimental drugs?
No, you just continue with the regular medications your doctor prescribes for your condition.
Are there extra appointments for the study?
No, data is collected during your routine doctor visits, not through extra appointments.
How to find out more
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
Discussion
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