TOPLINE: 

Hispanic individuals with psoriasis were significantly less likely than non-Hispanic White patients to receive biologic therapy, a survey found. 

METHODOLOGY:

• A retrospective, cross-sectional pooled analysis of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey from 2014 to 2022 included 1091 respondents (mean age, 56.1 years) with psoriasis.
• A total of 782 were non-Hispanic Whites, 136 were Hispanic, and 173 were non-Hispanic minorities; 48.1% of Hispanic individuals reported limited English proficiency.
• Study outcomes were psoriasis biologic prescriptions, dermatologist visits, and ambulatory visits. Analyses were adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, insurance, and English proficiency.

TAKEAWAY:

• Hispanic vs non-Hispanic White respondents had significantly lower odds of receiving biologics (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.14; 95% CI, 0.04-0.46).
• Hispanic patients received fewer total biologics (adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR], 0.08; 95% CI, 0.03-0.25) but more total prescriptions (aIRR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.04-1.65).
• Hispanics were more likely to visit a dermatologist (aOR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.04-3.19) but less likely to receive biologics, regardless of English proficiency (aOR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.05-0.56).
• No significant differences were seen between non-Hispanic minorities and White individuals in biologic prescription rates, dermatologist visits, and the total number of ambulatory visits.

IN PRACTICE:

“Our analysis used filled prescriptions measured in the MEPS [Medical Expenditure Panel Survey] pharmacy data, providing a direct measure of access,” unlike a prior study reporting “higher biologic use among Hispanic/Latino patients,” the authors wrote. “These findings suggest a potential disparity in treatment access that warrants further study to inform equitable prescribing and disease management.”

SOURCE:

The authors of this study were Alina S. Feng, BS, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and Wilson Liao, MD, Department of Dermatology, UCSF. It was published online on November 2 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

LIMITATIONS:

Limitations include the study’s cross-sectional design, reliance on self-reported data, and the relatively small group receiving biologics. Additionally, aggregation of non-Hispanic minorities limited subgroup assessment. Psoriasis severity data were unavailable.

DISCLOSURES:

This study did not receive any funding. Liao reported receiving research grants from Amgen, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Leo Pharma, and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. No funding sources were reported for this study.

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.