Introduction: The Psocare project started in August 2005, integrating several activities: a survey of the management of psoriasis in Italy, the institution of a network of reference centres for psoriasis in Italy, the activation of a registry and outcome research project of moderate-to-severe psoriasis involving the centres.
Methods: Data collection is through a web-based data collection form. As of December 31, 2010, a total of 167 centres participated and provided data about a total of 20,170 patients.
Results: Etanercept and cyclosporine were the drugs most frequently prescribed at entry. Among the others, the outcome research study documented that drug survival was better for biologicals than for conventional treatment, that hospitalization rates were reduced in patients receiving biologicals as compared with patients on conventional treatment, and that body mass index influenced response to treatment irrespective of the treatment considered.
Discussion: The Psocare programme had a role in improving clinical management of psoriasis in Italy by establishing reference centres and by promoting long-term structured care for the disease.