Anxiety, depression, and sexual dysfunction in patients with psoriasis
Özet
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.
