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Intended for Canadian Healthcare professionals

The impact of generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) on patients

GPP flares may result in serious, systemic complications1

Serious complications associated with GPP include acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), sepsis, cardiovascular aseptic shock,
high-output cardiac failure, renal failure, neutrophilic cholangitis, metabolic abnormalities, osteoarthritis, and uveitis. The most common causes of death associated with GPP are sepsis, ARDS, and cardiac failure.1–6 

 

GPP flares can be unpredictable in nature4

GPP flares can vary among patients and present differently within the same patient.4 Because of this, previous flare episodes do not indicate the severity or duration of the next flare.4

 

GPP has a significant clinical burden, including hospitalization and reduced quality of life1,5

GPP symptoms can flare, may result in hospitalization, and may become life-threatening.1,4,5


These flares can last from weeks to months and may severely impair a patient’s quality of life.5 The duration of GPP flares and their time to resolution may vary.1,5

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Consider how GPP can affect patients1,5

In a 2006 study of patients with different types of psoriasis – including GPP and plaque psoriasis – quality of life was measured with the SF-36 Medical Outcomes Study questionnaire.7

Graph of SF-36 scores for patients with either GPP or plaque psoriasis

 

Adapted from Sampogna F, et al.7

The SF-36 measures 36 items across 8 dimensions:7

  • Physical functioning (PF): Limitations in performing physical activities such as bathing or dressing
  • Role-physical (RP): Limitations with work and other daily activities as a result of physical health
  • Bodily pain (BP): How severe and limiting is pain
  • General health (GH): How general personal health is evaluated by the patient
  • Vitality (VT): Feeling tired and worn out vs. feeling full of energy
  • Social functioning (SF): Interference with normal social activities due to physical or emotional problems
  • Role-emotional (RE): Limitations with work and other daily activities as a result of emotional problems
  • Mental health (MH): Feeling nervous and depressed vs. peaceful, happy and calm

References

  1. Gooderham MJ, Van Voorhees AS, Lebwohl MG. Expert Rev Clin Immunol. 2019;15(9):907–19. Doi:10.1080/1744666X.2019.1648209. 
  2. Bachelez H. Acta Derm Venereol. 2020;100(3):adv00034. Doi:10.2340/00015555-3388.
  3. Choon SE, Lai NM, Mohammad NA, Nanu NM, Tey KE, Chew SF. Int J Dermatol. 2014;53(6):676–84. Doi:10.1111/ijd.12070.
  4. Bachelez H. Br J Dermatol. 2018;178(3):614–18. Doi:10.1111/bjd.16232.
  5. Kharawala S, Golembesky AK, Bohn RL, Esser D. Expert Rev Clin Immunol. 2020;16(3):239–52. Doi:10.1080/1744666X.2019.1708193.
  6. Ly K, Beck KM, Smith MP, Thibodeaux Q, Bhutani T. Psoriasis (Auckl). 2019;9:37–42. Doi:10.2147/PTT.S181808.
  7. Sampogna F, Tabolli S, Söderfeldt B, et al. Br J Dermatol. 2006;154(5):844–49.