Itch, disease coping strategies and quality of life in psoriasis patients

INTRODUCTION Psoriasis is a psychodermatological condition, so psychological factors can trigger and/or exacerbate skin lesions. Additionally, disease can be a source of stress and can worsen patients' quality of life (QoL). AIM To evaluate the relationship between medical (disease severity, itch) and psychological variables (disease coping strategies, QoL) in the psoriasis patients group. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study comprises 60 in-patients of the dermatological ward (30 females and 30 males) with the diagnosis of psoriasis. METHODS USED Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), Itch Severity Evaluation Questionnaire, Coping with Skin Disease Scale-SRS-DER, SKINDEX-29 questionnaire. RESULTS The study demonstrated significant correlations between disease coping strategies, itch and quality of life. Women presented worse QoL (generally and in physical functioning). The older patients with a longer disease duration revealed QoL impairment. CONCLUSIONS The obtained results could help in identifying patients risk groups which are in the highest danger of decreased QoL. Our data indicate the need for psychological interventions.