Hölsken S, Krefting F, Schneider L, et al. - Despite greater tendency to develop depressive symptoms in psoriasis patients, the time constraints of dermatological clinics often result in overlooking and thus underdiagnosing depressive symptoms in this population. Researchers herein evaluated the usefulness of the Two Questions Test for an initial assessment of depressive burden in these patients.

• The records of patients initiating systemic treatment for psoriasis with a selective interleukin (IL)23- or IL17A-inhibitor were analyzed to evaluate the utility of the test in the clinical context.

• In a total sample of 139 patients, researchers analyzed measures of psoriatic and psychiatric symptoms together with baseline Two Questions Test scores and the development of the Two Questions Test scores over the course of the first 28 weeks of treatment.

• The Two Questions Test scores did not show any correlation with skin symptoms measured by the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index and the visibility of skin lesions.

• However, the Dermatology Life Quality Index that measured skin related quality of life was identified to be linked with the Two Questions Test scores.

• The Two Questions Test outcomes improved over the course of patients’ treatment.

• Overall findings support the utility of the Two Questions Test both as an initial screening tool of depressive symptoms, and a sensitive tool for the repeated assessment of depressive symptoms in psoriasis patients.