Anxiety, depression, and sexual dysfunction in patients with psoriasis

Abstract

Background: There are few studies investigating the association between psoriasis and depression, anxiety, sexual dysfunction in the literature. Aims: We aimed to investigate depression, anxiety, and sexual dysfunction in patients with psoriasis and the association between the psychiatric comorbidity and the severity and involvement sites of psoriasis. Materials and Methods: A total of 200 participants, including 100 psoriasis patients and 100 healthy volunteers as a control group, were included in the study. All participants were questioned about sociodemographic characteristics, smoking, alcohol use, and comorbidities. All participants completed the Dermatology Life Quality Index, Beck Depression Scale, Beck Anxiety Scale, Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale, Female Sexual Function Scale/International Erectile Function Index. Results: In the psoriasis group, an increased risk for depression and anxiety was observed, regardless of the clinical features and severity of psoriasis, and a positive correlation was detected between the severity of the disease and impaired quality of life. An increased risk for sexual dysfunction regardless of clinical features and severity in male patients with psoriasis was detected compared with the control group. It was found that the risk for erectile dysfunction in patients with psoriasis increased regardless of the risk factors such as smoking, alcohol, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. Conclusion: Our study shows that psoriasis increases the risk for impaired quality of life, depression, anxiety, and sexual dysfunction in individuals. This increase is not always associated with the clinical characteristics of psoriasis such as severity, duration, and sites of involvement. Therefore, dermatologists should consider not only the skin findings of psoriasis but also the psychosocial status of the patient and refer the patient to psychiatry if necessary.