Living with psoriatic disease looks different for every individual impacted. Some may face the more visible challenges of living with psoriasis (PSO), such as plaques and dry skin, while others battle the hidden struggles of psoriatic arthritis (PsA).^1,2 Additionally, people with PSO and PsA often experience comorbidities like anxiety and depression, which can negatively impact their quality of life.^2,3 Along with UCB’s commitment to bringing innovative treatments to market, increasing understanding about how these diseases can affect total wellness is critical to supporting patients.

Recently two UCB employees, Richard and Ellie, shared resources they find helpful in their personal journeys with psoriatic disease, including how, in Richard’s words, his work at UCB helps him "stay tuned into relevant matters that affect patient care.” Richard was diagnosed with PSO at 11 years old, before later developing PsA as well. He recalls limited education within his community. Ellie, a former college runner, was diagnosed with PsA after years of ignoring joint pain.

Richard, like many living with psoriatic disease, is an active follower of leading advocacy organizations. He checks in on their social media pages, participates in community events, and heads to their websites for answers when he's facing challenges.

“I honestly use all available resources that can help me maintain my quality of life,” Richard says.

Going Beyond Scientific Research
UCB’s collaborations with organizations like the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) and the Arthritis Foundation help us better understand the challenges facing patients and caregivers.

As part of our collaboration with NPF, we are working to bridge the understanding gap between healthcare providers (HCPs) and those living with psoriatic disease via ongoing initiatives. One of these initiatives is our “wish wall” featured most recently at the 2025 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting, where clinicians share their wishes and those of their patients, providing valuable insights into the needs of the PSO community. With each wish submitted, UCB provided a charitable donation to NPF. UCB also supports NPF’s Take ACTION local events across the country, dedicated to fostering connections, providing inspiration, and educating the psoriatic disease community.  

In the rheumatology space, the Arthritis Foundation is researching the patient diagnosis and treatment journey from PSO to PsA. As it is estimated that 30% of those with PSO will develop PsA, it is vital that we understand the connection between not only these two diseases but the patient journeys as well.⁴

The Role of Supportive Healthcare Providers and Networks
Ellie, in reflecting on her journey with PSO, shares the impact that an engaged HCP can have on patients, adding that her own HCP has been one of her greatest partners and resources.

“She is so knowledgeable and can answer anything I ask,” Ellie says. Ellie encourages others living with psoriatic disease to seek out HCPs who will partner in their care. “Find the right doctor who will listen to you. Find one that will work with you.”

In addition to partnering with her HCP throughout her journey, Ellie also shares where she looks for connection and support from others in this community. Engaging with others experiencing psoriatic disease through nonprofit groups and social media has also proven a helpful resource for Ellie who says, "It is always nice to know I am not the only one."

Forthcoming results from a UCB survey^* of 250 people living with rheumatic diseases, specifically psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), found that family and community support play a vital role in ensuring patients’ needs are heard and experiences are understood.⁵ To foster this understanding, awareness and education are paramount.

Survey results also underscore that managing these conditions involves more than just addressing physical symptoms; it also requires considering the emotional and social impacts, such as how these conditions can affect activities that many take for granted – like playing sports or even career planning.5,6 Having a support network where those living with PSO and PsA can openly discuss their diagnosis and daily struggles is critical.⁵

Ellie shares the importance of this in her own life with her husband, who she says, "steps in when I can’t take another step."

“Let those around you know if you are having a flare, and what it means for you. Sometimes we don’t look like we are hurting, tired, or sore from the outside,” she says.

We're fortunate to work with and learn from people like Richard and Ellie, enabling us to apply valuable patient perspectives that help us develop better solutions.

“The most impactful aspect of engaging with patient resources is the realization that I am not alone in my journey,” Richard says. “While what I have experienced is personal and unique, there are countless others in the world that are also having their own personal and unique experiences as well that mirror my own.”

For more information on PSO, visit https://www.ucb-usa.com/Disease-Areas/Dermatology.

For more information on PsA, visit https://www.ucb-usa.com/Disease-Areas/Rheumatology.

*The insights from this survey are based on a structured quantitative survey conducted as primary market research. As with all survey-based research, findings reflect the self-reported attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors of a sample of respondents at a single point in time. While efforts are made to ensure a representative sample, the results may not be fully generalizable to the broader population due to limitations inherent to survey-based methodologies.

References

1. Griffiths CEM, Armstrong AW, Gudjonsson JE, et al. Psoriasis. Lancet. 2021;397(10281):1301–15.
2. Ogdie A, Weiss P. The Epidemiology of Psoriatic Arthritis. Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2015;41(4):545–68.
3. Liu L, Lin NX, Yu YT, et al. Epidemiology of mental health comorbidity in patients with psoriasis: An analysis of trends from 1986 to 2019. Psychiatry Res. 2023;321:115078. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115078.
4. Mease PJ, Gladman DD, Papp KA, et al. Prevalence of rheumatologist-diagnosed psoriatic arthritis in patients with psoriasis in European/North American dermatology clinics. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2013;69(5):729-735. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2013.07.023.
5. Data on file. UCB, Inc., Smyrna, GA. Rheum for Improvement Survey (n=250). Last accessed July 2025.
6. Kavanaugh A, Helliwell P, Ritchlin CT. Psoriatic arthritis and burden of disease: patient perspectives from the population-based multi national assessment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (MAPP) survey. Rheumatol Ther. 2016;3(1):91–102.

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