PsO-Diet: Qualitative Exploration for Psoriasis Weight-Management Research

Research summary

Background Psoriasis affects two million people in the UK. People with obesity are more likely to develop psoriasis, have more severe symptoms, and respond less well to treatment. Losing weight can improve psoriasis, and doctors are advised to suggest this, but few do. Our patient collaborators were unaware of the link between psoriasis and carrying excess weight. People with psoriasis believe what they eat is important but often feel that their doctors do not have the answers to their questions. Aim To find out what people with psoriasis and healthcare professionals think and feel about talking about weight and what they eat in healthcare appointments. What we learn will help us design a new way for clinicians to talk about weight management and offer support, which we will test in future studies. Design and Methods We will interview up to 20 people with psoriasis and a history of overweight/obesity, and up to 20 clinicians involved in psoriasis care (including, but not limited to, doctors, nurses, dietitians) to explore: • What people with psoriasis and healthcare professionals understand and feel about diet and weight-management as part of psoriasis treatment. • How these issues are currently being talked about in dermatology appointments, and how these conversations could be improved. • What helps or makes it difficult for people with psoriasis to take part in weight-management programmes. • What makes it easier or harder for healthcare professionals to talk about weight with patients, including any support or training they might need. • What are the important design features for a short conversation guide about weight-management that feels respectful, helpful, and acceptable to both patients and healthcare professionals. Interviews will be around 45-60 minutes long. We will audio-record and analyse these conversations to identify common themes that will help shape the intervention and clinical trial.

Principal Investigator

Antonia Lloyd-lavery

Contact us

Email: melanie.westmoreland@ouh.nhs.uk

IRAS number

346020