Original scientific paper
STUDY ON THE IMPACT OF PSORIASIS ON QUALITY OF LIFE: PSYCHOLOGICAL, SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Vedrana Bulat
; Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University Hospital Sestre Milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia
Mirna Šitum
; Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University Hospital Sestre Milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia; School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Marija Delaš Aždajić
; Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University Hospital Sestre Milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia
Ivana Lovrić
; Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
Iva Dediol
; Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University Hospital Sestre Milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Background: Psoriasis is a chronic and stigmatising disease with significant and hard to meet clinical needs in patient
management. Psoriasis is a relatively common disease, affecting up to 2% of the population. The impact of psoriasis on quality of life is significant given its chronicity and visibility. Psychological stress is a well-established systemic triggering factor in psoriasis. It has been associated with initial presentation of the disease as well as exacerbations of pre-existing psoriasis. The purpose of this study is to assess the psychological, social and financial implications of psoriasis.
Subjects and methods: 51 patients participated in this study. After dermatological examination and determination of Psoriasis
Area and Severity Index score, patients were referred to a psychological consult. Assessment was done through questionnaires
concerning quality of life, depression, anxiety, illness perception, financial domain and personal data.
Results: Results of our study indicate that psoriasis has a strong impact on patients’ life. It influences working habits, poses a
significant financial burden, but most of all, significantly impairs their quality of life and psychological status.
Conclusion: Psoriasis poses a substantial threat to several dimensions in patient’s quality of life. Patients feel that the current
treatment, although often effective, does not provide a satisfactory long-term solution. Thus, long-term psychologic support for
patients with psoriasis is desirable.
Keywords
psoriasis; quality of life; illness perception; anxiety; depression
Hrčak ID:
262643
URI
Publication date:
18.11.2020.
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