Abstract
Psoriasis is a dermatological, chronic, immune-mediated condition. Psoriasis symptoms are not associated with physical burden only, but it may also have psychosocial effects on patients, diminished cognitive control, poor body image and impairments in everyday life. The value of quality of life is important since improving it is the principal goal for non-curative disease. The aim of the current study was to evaluate quality of life in a sample of Iraqi patients with psoriasis. This study is a cross-sectional study that involved 300 already diagnosed psoriasis patients who attended to the center of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical City/Baghdad. The mean age of patients was (35.156 ±10.549 years). The Arabic version of Dermatology Life Quality Index was used to assess quality of life. The mean total score is 11.29± 5.45 and the majority of the patients (53.7%) had a total score of more than 10, which indicates a significant deterioration in patients’ quality of life. The greatest impact was found in symptoms and feelings (mean = 1.66 ± 0.75) while the lowest impact was noted in personal relationships (0.51± 0.65). Increasing age and monthly income as well as vulgaris type of psoriasis associated significantly better quality of life. While Psoriasis Area and Severity Index associated significantly worse quality of life. In conclusion, psoriasis exerts significant, negative impact on patients’ quality of life, especially among those with younger age, lower monthly income, high disease activity, and types of psoriasis other than vulgaris.
Highlights
Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory condition that primarily affects the skin, hair, and the joints and associated with a significant humanistic and economic consequences [1, 2]
(12) Psoriasis is classified as mild, moderate, or severe, relying on the percentage of the affected body surface area (BSA) and the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). [13] The aims of treating psoriasis are to get an initial and fast control for disease symptoms, decrease the percentage of involved BSA, decrease plaque lesions, minimize adverse drug events, produce and maintain long-term remission, and improve the patient’s quality of life (QOL). [11] Selection of treatment in patients with psoriasis depends on disease severity, [14] the presence of comorbid conditions, such as psoriatic arthritis, and treatment history
The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) is a validated, dermatology-specific QOL instrument that was developed in the early 1990s, [25,26] and has been used in several trials for psoriasis, [25] The DLQI questionnaire consists of 10 questions, subdivided into 6 domains related to various aspects of a person's QOL: symptoms and feelings, daily activities, leisure, work/school, personal relationships, and treatment
Summary
Inflammatory condition that primarily affects the skin, hair, and the joints and associated with a significant humanistic and economic consequences [1, 2]. It occurs in about 1% to 3% worldwide, [3] with higher prevalence in western countries. [13] The aims of treating psoriasis are to get an initial and fast control for disease symptoms, decrease the percentage of involved BSA, decrease plaque lesions, minimize adverse drug events, produce and maintain long-term remission, and improve the patient’s quality of life (QOL). Methotrexate and biologics are the most-used systemic treatments for psoriasis. [17] Biologics are often the step in the treatment when conventional systemic therapies fail or are contraindicated. [17] Biologics are very effective potent immunomodulatory drugs. [18] They are generally considered safe drugs but may be associated with rare serious adverse reactions such as malignancy and reactivation of tuberculosis. [19] The World Health Organization defined QOL as “the individuals ‘perceptions of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns.” [20] The QOL's value is important for knowing what is significant to the individuals’ QOL since the principal goal for non-curative disease is to improve QOL. [21] Psoriasis can have a significant impact on patients’ QOL and work productivity, depending on disease severity. [22] Symptoms of psoriasis are not limited to physical impact, they can have strong psychosocial effects, [23] resulting in impaired emotional state, daily activity, and body image. [24] the aim of the current study was to evaluate QOL in a sample of Iraqi psoriatic patients and to determine possible association between QOL and some patient’s related factors
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Schedule a callMore From: Iraqi Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences ( P-ISSN: 1683 - 3597 , E-ISSN : 2521 - 3512)
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