Beliefs About Medicines in Patients with Psoriasis Treated with Methotrexate or Biologics: A Cross-sectional Survey Study

Abstract

Methotrexate (MTX) and biologics are frequently used treatments for psoriasis. Exploring patients? beliefs about their treatment may help to elucidate patients? attitudes towards these therapies. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire-Specific (BMQ-Specific) in patients treated with methotrexate or biologics. BMQ-Specific scores (Necessity and Concerns scales) were calculated and patients were classified as ?accepting?, ?indifferent?, ?ambivalent? or ?sceptical? towards their treat?ment. Biologics users scored higher on the Necessity scale than did methotrexate users. Both groups had lower Concerns scores than Necessity scores. A high Necessity scale was associated with a low Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score in both groups and long treatment duration in the methotrexate group. Although this study cannot make a direct comparison, it was observed that most patients on biologics could be classified as ?accepting? (59%), and most patients on MTX could be classified as ?indifferent? (47%). In conclusion, the BMQ-Specific is useful to identify patients with a sceptical, ambivalent or indifferent profile. These profiles may negatively influence patient?s attitude towards their medication.