A study revealed that women with psoriasis are significantly more likely than men to stop using biologic treatments, despite their known effectiveness. Biologics, which target specific immune pathways, are often considered the gold standard for moderate to severe psoriasis, yet nearly a third of patients discontinue them within a year. In an analysis of more than 1,000 patients, researchers found that only 42% of women continued biologic treatment for at least three years, compared to 57% of men. The gap was even larger with newer biologic classes, such as IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors. Notably, women did not stop due to lack of efficacy—rather, they reported more side effects and lower satisfaction.

Adverse events such as gastrointestinal issues, headaches, and infections were reported nearly twice as often by women, though the actual incidence may not differ—women may simply be more likely to report symptoms. Even when side effects were absent, women still expressed lower satisfaction with biologics in areas like effectiveness, convenience, and overall experience. These findings underscore a broader issue: biologic treatment models have largely been developed with male participants in mind. To improve outcomes for women, researchers recommend more sex-specific studies and improved provider communication to set realistic expectations.

Reference: Kassel G. Why Are More Women With Psoriasis Stopping Biologics? HealthCentral. Published June 27, 2025. Accessed July 10, 2025.