Psoriasis is associated with metabolic disorders and has a significant negative impact on patients’ quality of life. There is little information about treatment patterns and the resources used to treat psoriasis and its associated comorbidities. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and estimate the costs associated with psoriasis care in the Brazilian health system.

A cross-sectional observational study was conducted of 293 Brazilian patients with psoriasis who attended selected dermatology outpatient centers in Brazil during a one-year period. Patients underwent detailed skin and rheumatologic assessments and a series of laboratory tests. The annual costs were estimated by multiplying the amount of each resource consumed by its unit cost.

The prevalence rate of MetS was high in this cohort (50%). Other metabolic disorders were more common in this group than in the general population, including hypertension (62%), diabetes (31%), dyslipidemia (75%), and obesity (53%). The disease duration was, on average, 17.2 years. There were 2,713 consultations reported by 288 patients (average of nine per patient per year). The most common specialists consulted were: dermatologists (93%); general practitioners (41%); cardiologists (27%); rheumatologists (18%); and endocrinologists (13%). There were 110 non-physician visits (average of 11 per patient per year), of which the most frequently consulted specialists were nutritionists (26%), psychologists (24%), and nurses (22%). A total of 279 patients (95%) had at least one medical test (average of 18 per patient per year). Among the treatments required for other conditions, 65% (n = 149) of prescribed medicines were for the cardiovascular system and 24% (n = 5/21) of hospitalizations were due to diseases of the circulatory system; myocardial revascularization was the costliest procedure (USD 2,298).

MetS is frequently associated with psoriasis and directly affects health resource utilization in the Brazilian health system by increasing consultation costs. Further research is needed to evaluate the impact of a multidisciplinary treatment approach for psoriasis patients with MetS.