The psoriasis disability index in Chinese patients: contribution of clinical and psychological variables.

OBJECTIVES

To provide a description of medical and psychological aspects of Chinese psoriasis patients, and to examine the specific contribution of demographic, medical and psychological variables to the Psoriasis Disability Index.

METHODS

Ninety-three Chinese psoriasis patients underwent a clinical assessment using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and completed a questionnaire that included questions on demographic and medical data, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Psoriasis Disability Index (PDI).

RESULTS

Psoriasis patients with cosmetic involvement had higher levels of anxiety and depression and higher disability scores than those without cosmetic involvement. Thirty-four per cent of the patients reported a significant level of anxiety (HADS-anx. > 11). The clinical severity of psoriasis was not associated with psychological and PDI scores. Multiple regression analysis indicated that psychological variables were associated with PDI scores, and explained 30% of the variance. However, demographic and psoriasis severity variables explained only 6% of the variance.

CONCLUSION

Psoriasis patients suffer from anxiety and depression. Psychological factors are much stronger determinants of the PDI than demographic, disease related variables. Clinical management of the disease should consider both clinical and psychological factors.