Stigmatization in psoriasis vulgaris: a qualitative study

Abstract

Background: Psoriasis vulgaris is an autoimmune chronic inflammatory disease of the skin, which has become a global problem, with at least 100 million people affected. Although not life-threatening, psoriasis vulgaris affects the patient's life regarding physical appearance which can lead to shame, stigmatization, as well as mental health, thus affecting the quality of life. Objective: Qualitatively analyze about stigma and its psychological impact in psoriasis vulgaris patients. Research Method: A case study of a qualitative study to observe at the problem in depth and thoroughly. Subjects were recruited through outpatient clinic at the Department of Dermatology and Venereology, dr. Soetomo Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia, with snowball sampling techniques, and conducted by telephone call. Results: The six informants, three men and three women, with range of 37 to 49 years old, married, with various levels of disease severity, revealing stigma of psoriasis vulgaris, and its psychological impact. Psoriasis vulgaris is a complex condition, having challenges to the informants' physical, psychological and social conditions. Conclusion: Living with a chronic skin disease such as psoriasis vulgaris can affect an individual's life in different ways in certain cultural settings and situations. Understanding the stigma and psychological impact of psoriasis vulgaris will be able to help patients openly share their discomfort so that they can develop more efficient treatment strategies for psoriasis vulgaris patients.