Marlena Hawro1, Marcus Maurer1, Karsten Weller1, Romuald Maleszka2, Anna Zalewska-Janowska3, Andrzej Kaszuba4, Zofia Gerlicz-Kowalczuk3, Tomasz Hawro5. 1. Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany. 2. Department of Skin and Venereal Diseases, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland. 3. Psychodermatology Department, Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland. 4. Department of Dermatology, Pediatric Dermatology and Oncology, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland. 5. Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: tomasz.hawro@charite.de.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Psoriasis vulgaris is characterized by disfiguring and stigmatizing skin lesions. The links among lesions distribution, severity, and stigmatization remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate if the involvement of visible and sensitive areas is linked to stigmatization. METHODS: In all, 115 patients with psoriasis vulgaris were assessed for disease severity, skin lesions distribution, itch, and stigmatization using the Feelings of Stigmatization Questionnaire. Quality of life was assessed with the Dermatology Life Quality Index and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF. RESULTS: The localization of psoriatic lesions on the back of hands was related to higher stigmatization levels (P = .011, total score of the Feelings of Stigmatization Questionnaire), but not the involvement of nails, the palms, the face, or the genital area nor overall disease severity. All patients reported some level of stigmatization, regardless of the localization of lesions and type of psoriasis. Higher levels of stigmatization characterized patients who claimed not to be able to hide their lesions by clothing (P = .025), women (P = .001), and the unemployed (P = .004). Stigmatization was the strongest predictor of quality of life impairment. LIMITATIONS: Only hospitalized patients were included. CONCLUSIONS: Psoriatic lesions on the back of hands are debilitating and warrant effective treatment. Special attention should be paid to female patients, who are more sensitive to stigmatization.
BACKGROUND:Psoriasis vulgaris is characterized by disfiguring and stigmatizing skin lesions. The links among lesions distribution, severity, and stigmatization remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate if the involvement of visible and sensitive areas is linked to stigmatization. METHODS: In all, 115 patients with psoriasis vulgaris were assessed for disease severity, skin lesions distribution, itch, and stigmatization using the Feelings of Stigmatization Questionnaire. Quality of life was assessed with the Dermatology Life Quality Index and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF. RESULTS: The localization of psoriatic lesions on the back of hands was related to higher stigmatization levels (P = .011, total score of the Feelings of Stigmatization Questionnaire), but not the involvement of nails, the palms, the face, or the genital area nor overall disease severity. All patients reported some level of stigmatization, regardless of the localization of lesions and type of psoriasis. Higher levels of stigmatization characterized patients who claimed not to be able to hide their lesions by clothing (P = .025), women (P = .001), and the unemployed (P = .004). Stigmatization was the strongest predictor of quality of life impairment. LIMITATIONS: Only hospitalized patients were included. CONCLUSIONS:Psoriatic lesions on the back of hands are debilitating and warrant effective treatment. Special attention should be paid to female patients, who are more sensitive to stigmatization.
Authors: Marilyn T Wan; Rebecca L Pearl; Zelma C Chiesa Fuxench; Junko Takeshita; Joel M Gelfand Journal: J Psoriasis Psoriatic Arthritis Date: 2020-06-08
Authors: Sandy R McBride; Maria C Fargnoli; Anne-Claire Fougerousse; Marta García Bustínduy; Louise Catton; Lerzan Senturk; Cécile Ecoffet; Jan Koren; Laura Andreoli; Laura C Coates; Alice Titialii Journal: Int J Womens Dermatol Date: 2021-08-28