Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology (Feb 2021)

Effect of Disease Severity on the Quality of Life and Sense of Stigmatization in Psoriatics

  • Kowalewska B,
  • Jankowiak B,
  • Cybulski M,
  • Krajewska-Kułak E,
  • Khvorik DF

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 14
pp. 107 – 121

Abstract

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Beata Kowalewska,1 Barbara Jankowiak,1 Mateusz Cybulski,1 Elżbieta Krajewska-Kułak,1 Dzmitry Fiodaravich Khvorik2 1Department of Integrated Medical Care, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland; 2Department of Dermatovenerology, Medical University in Grodno, Grodno, BelarusCorrespondence: Beata KowalewskaDepartment of Integrated Medical Care, Medical University of Bialystok, 7A Curie-Skłodowskiej Str., Bialystok, 15-096, PolandTel +48 85 748 55 28Email [email protected]: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin having a profound effect on the quality of life and contributing to the sense of stigmatization in the affected patients. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of psoriasis severity on the quality of life and sense of stigmatization in psoriatics and to investigate relationships between these measures and sociodemographic variables.Patients and Methods: The study included 111 patients with psoriasis. The inclusion criteria of the study were the diagnosis of psoriasis and written informed consent to participate. The study was based on a short survey prepared by the authors and four validated scales: Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), 6-item Stigmatization Scale, 33-item Feelings of Stigmatization Questionnaire, and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI).Results: Mean PASI score for the study group was 14 pts. Most respondents presented with low DLQI scores, with the mean value of 10.8 pts suggesting that the disease-related ailments were not extremely burdensome for the majority of the patients. Mean stigmatization scores for the 6- and 33-item scale were 7– 8 and 81– 82 pts, respectively.Conclusion: The severity of psoriasis was the strongest determinant of the quality of life measured with the DLQI. Also, the levels of stigmatization determined with the 6- and 33-item scale correlated significantly with PASI scores.Keywords: psoriasis, quality of life, stigmatization, psoriasis severity, psychodermatology, DLQI, PASI

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