Determinants of quality of life in psoriasis patients: a cluster analysis of 50 patients.

BACKGROUND

Although psoriasis generally does not affect survival, it certainly has a number of major negative effects on patients, demonstrable by a significant detriment to quality of life.

AIMS

We have done a study with the objective of assessing the clinical variables adversely affecting quality of life in patients diagnosed with psoriasis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study is a cluster analysis of 50 consecutive consenting patients with psoriasis, of both sexes, aged over 18 years, attending the dermatology outpatient department of a tertiary care center. We measured the clinical severity using psoriasis area severity index and health-related quality of life using psoriasis disability index (PDI). Statistical analysis was performed using unpaired independent student's t-test, analysis of variance (and Scheffe's post hoc test as appropriate) and Pearson's correlation coefficients.

RESULTS

There was a significant correlation between the physician-rated severity of psoriasis and the extent of impact of psoriasis on physical disability as measured by the PDI. We have identified that a younger age at onset of disease and self-reported stress exacerbators suffer greater disability in most aspects of quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

On the basis of this study, we would recommend that psoriasis patients especially with severe disease require a more holistic treatment approach that encompasses both medical and psychological measures.