Patients with palmoplantar psoriasis have more physical disability and discomfort than patients with other forms of psoriasis: implications for clinical practice.

BACKGROUND

Psoriasis is a chronic, unpredictable, and incurable disease that has a negative impact on patients' quality of life. Palm and sole psoriasis can add to this negative impact as it directly affects activities of daily living.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to estimate the prevalence of palmoplantar psoriasis in a patient population and to explore associations with patient outcomes.

METHODS

In all, 317 individuals with psoriasis completed a comprehensive assessment battery. Patients with palmoplantar psoriasis (n = 124, 39%) were compared with patients without palmoplantar involvement with respect to functional disability, psychiatric symptoms, physical and social discomfort, self-reported psoriasis severity, and health-related quality of life.

RESULTS

Patients with palmoplantar involvement reported significantly greater physical disability and physical discomfort than patients without palmoplantar involvement (both P <.01). There were no differences between the 2 groups with respect to psychosocial outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Patients with palmoplantar psoriasis are affected to a greater degree by the physical aspects of the disease than patients without palmoplantar involvement.