Comparative study of stress and quality of life in outpatients consulting for different dermatoses in 5 academic departments of dermatology.

In this study, perceived stress and quality of life were measured with PCV-Metra and SF-12 scales in outpatients consulting for different dermatoses in 5 academic dermatology departments for 5 consecutive days. 658 patients were enrolled in the study. Perceived stress was higher in women and the mental component of their quality of life was more altered. Perceived stress was higher in Paris than in other areas and was respectively 11.4, 10.4, 9.2 and 8.9 for psoriasis, acne, atopic dermatitis and pigmented tumours. Perceived stress was correlated to mental quality of life. Stress was more elevated in people with inflammatory dermatoses than in those with tumours. To our knowledge, this is the first comparative study of both stress and quality of life levels in different dermatoses. Stress levels were lower in people with pigmented tumours, suggesting that they can be used as controls in comparative studies because they can be considered as healthy subjects. On the contrary, patients with psoriasis had a very high level of perceived stress and a deeply altered quality of life.