Prolonged Sick Leave Before and After Diagnosis of Generalized Pustular Psoriasis: A Swedish Population-based Register Study

Löfvendahl S, Norlin JM, Ericson O, Hanno M, Schmitt-Egenolf M

Generalised pustular psoriasis (GPP) is a severe chronic form of pustular psoriasis affecting large areas of the skin. The occurrence of acute flares is typical and the patient is often severely ill with general symptoms and complications emerging from severe systemic inflammation. GPP contribute to higher health care costs compared with both the general population and people with psoriasis vulgaris. The aim of this study was to investigate if GPP is also associated with higher sick leave.

Prolonged sick leave of >14 days was analysed for 502 patients with GPP compared with controls with psoriasis vulgaris (n=1,505) and matched controls from the general population (2,344). Using data from the Swedish National Patient Register, and the Longitudinal integrated database for health insurance and labour market studies, the study estimated proportions on sick leave and the mean number of sick leave days in the year of first diagnosis of GPP (index year), and for 2 years before and after the index year.

For patients with GPP, sick leave peaked in the index year with 30% of patients having any sick leave and a mean number of sick leave days of 35. These numbers were significantly higher than for both control populations. Sick leave in GPP was higher compared to control groups already prior to diagnosis, indicating delayed diagnosis and/or a comorbidity burden.

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Acta Dermato-Venereologica, 2023;103, adv6497.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2340/actadv.v103.649