The French still have many preconceived ideas about psoriasis, a disease which can manifest itself on the skin and/or joints.
- On the occasion of World Psoriasis Day, the France Psoriasis association publishes the results of a survey conducted by the Opinion Way polling institute which measures the perceptions, knowledge and preconceived ideas of the French on the subject of this disease .
- 64% of those surveyed do not know what psoriasis is or have only heard of it.
- In the presence of a person affected by psoriasis, 35% of respondents said they would try to avoid any physical contact (vs. 27% in 2016) and 1⁄4 of French people said they would be uncomfortable.
On the occasion of World Psoriasis Day, the France Psoriasis association publishes the results of an investigation conducted by the Opinion Way polling institute which measures the perceptions, knowledge and preconceived ideas of the French about this disease visible in some cases by red patches on the skin topped with white strips.
64% of those surveyed do not know what psoriasis is
First lesson from the survey: 64% of those questioned do not know what psoriasis is or have only heard of it. 81% of respondents who say they know exactly what psoriasis is or who have already heard of it do not know that psoriasis is genetic. 60% of French people still think that it is psychological, and if 68% know that the disease can be treated, 77% think that it can be cured even though it remains incurable. “49% also do not know that the pathology is painful” can also be read in the report.
In the presence of a person affected by psoriasis, 35% of respondents also say they would try to avoid any physical contact (vs. 27% in 2016) and 1⁄4 of French people say they would be uncomfortable . Furthermore, if they had psoriasis, 4 out of 5 French people say they would adapt their clothing to hide their illness, and 3 out of 5 French people say it would have an impact on the first meeting with their partner.
77% of people with psoriasis suffer in their social life
According to another part of the report, 62% of respondents do not feel informed about psoriasis (including 19% not at all) and 87% are waiting for elements of understanding: 41% on the causes, 51% on treatments available medical services and 41% on alternative solutions to relieve symptoms.
Finally, 77% of people with psoriasis suffer in their social life, 71% in their emotional life, 60% in their sexual life and 62% in their family life.
Psoriasis: “to put an end to preconceived ideas”
“Despite the recognition of the serious medical and social impacts of the disease by the WHO in 2014, France Psoriasis can only note an absence of proactive public policies to implement the action plan recommended in our country”, writes the patients’ association in a press release.
“There is still a long way to go to put an end to preconceived ideas and to ensure that patients are finally better cared for. This is why on October 23 we are launching an awareness campaign among the general public entitled “Psoriasis: when we told you” “concludes Bénédicte Charles, President of France Psoriasis.
Psoriasis is an inflammatory, chronic, dysimmune and non-contagious disease which affects 2.4 million individuals in France. He can appear on the skin (cutaneous psoriasis) and/or joints (psoriatic arthritis).
