Bringing Real-World Representation to Psoriasis Clinical Research

_{Photo courtesy of IFPA project All the Colors We Are, March 2025.}

Psoriasis affects more than 7.5 million Americans and 60 millionⁱ people worldwide, yet diagnosis and treatment disparities persist—especially among people with skin of colorⁱⁱ and those in underserved and underrepresented communities.^1-3 People with skin of color living with psoriasis face lower diagnosis rates, reduced utilization of dermatologic care and a diagnosis time frame three times longer than those with lighter skin tones.⁵

Identifying health disparities and research gaps in psoriasis

Despite psoriasis being one of the most common skin diseases globally, patients with skin of color are historically underrepresented in dermatologic research.⁶ A study of U.S. dermatology clinical studies found that psoriasis studies were the least racially diverse, with nearly 85% of total study participants recorded as ‘White.’⁶ This lack of representation limits our understanding of how different patient populations may respond in real-world settings. Additionally, in a study from 2020, over 81% of countries lacked robust epidemiology data on psoriasis, making it difficult to assess its true impact.³

As Sicily Mbruru, M.D., IFPA Scientific Officer, emphasizes, "A clear understanding of the global burden of psoriasis begins with comprehensive prevalence data from as many countries as possible. We are collaborating with like-minded organizations to build a strong evidence base, track comorbidities, assess the economic impact, and enable benchmarking across nations. By advancing research and data collection, we can drive meaningful change for people living with psoriasis worldwide."

Driving inclusive and equitable research

At Takeda, we set out to change this by ensuring our pivotal psoriasis clinical trials in the U.S. better reflect the real-world population affected by psoriasis. By leveraging real-world data, we set enrollment goals that more accurately represent the U.S. psoriasis population. We actively tracked progress, adjusting as needed, striving to meet our goals without slowing down enrollment. As a result, we met or exceeded nearly all of our targets and are expanding our approach globally to drive more equitable care.

LaShell Robinson, Head of Global Feasibility and Trial Equity, highlights the importance of broadening these efforts worldwide – building on our U.S. strategy while tailoring our approach to the unique needs of each region. She states, “Our work to ensure our clinical trials better reflect the patient populations we aim to serve is an ongoing and collaborative process. We are partnering with other organizations around the world to increase understanding of how diseases and treatments affect different patient populations, encourage participation among historically underrepresented patient populations in clinical research and identify remaining unmet needs and opportunities for us to work together to advance more equitable psoriasis care for all.”

Takeda remains committed to conducting clinical trial research that better reflects the real-world population impacted by chronic diseases. We plan to expand our efforts globally, drawing on our U.S. strategy and adapting accordingly to what is most appropriate per country or region and the respective patient populations.

Click here to learn more about Takeda's Commitment to Inclusive and Equitable Clinical Research in Psoriasis.

References:

Armstrong AW, Mehta MD, Schupp CW, Gondo GC, Bell SJ, Griffiths CEM. Psoriasis Prevalence in Adults in the United States. JAMA Dermatol. 2021;157(8):940-946. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2021.2007
AIQassimi S, AIBrashdi S, Galadari H, Hashim MJ. Global burden of psoriasis - comparison of regional and global epidemiology, 1990 to 2017. Int J Dermatol. 2020;59(5):566-571. doi: 10.llll/ijd.14864.
Parisi R, Iskandar I, Kontopantelis E et al. National, regional, and worldwide epidemiology of psoriasis: Systematic analysis and modelling study on behalf of the Global Psoriasis Atlas. BMJ. 2020; 369. 1590. 10.116/bmj.m1590.
Gkini MA, Nakamura M, Alexis AF, et al. Psoriasis in People With Skin of Color: An Evidence-Based Update. Int J Dermatol. Published online January 31, 2025. doi:10.1111/ijd.17651
National Psoriasis Foundation. How Health Disparity Affects Health Care. Available at: https://www.psoriasis.org/advance/health-disparity-bipoc/. Accessed: February 2025
Narla S, Heath CR, Alexis A, Silverberg JI. Racial disparities in dermatology. Archives of dermatological research. 2023;315(5):1215-23.

ⁱConsiderable gaps exist on the incidence and prevalence of psoriasis, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Only 19% of countries in the world have epidemiological data on psoriasis.³

ⁱⁱThe term SOC refers to a diverse population of individuals of racial and ethnic backgrounds, including those who identify as Black or African, Hispanic or Latinx, Asian or Pacific Islander, American Indian or Native Alaskan, Indigenous Australian, Middle Eastern, biracial or multiracial, and non- White.⁴