Depressive symptoms among mothers of children with psoriasis—A case‐control study

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Childhood psoriasis is known to have a negative impact on caregivers' quality of life (QoL). The prevalence of depression among caregivers of children with psoriasis has not been fully studied. The aim of this case-control study was to evaluate the prevalence of depressive symptoms in mothers of children with psoriasis. METHODS Sixty mothers caring for a child with psoriasis were identified. The control group consisted of 60 age- and gender-matched children with nevi and their mothers. The severity of psoriasis was analyzed using Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). The QoL of each child was evaluated using Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) or Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Mothers completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). BDI score of ≥10 points was considered to be indicative of depression. RESULTS Mothers of children suffering from psoriasis achieved significantly higher scores in the BDI questionnaire when compared to mothers in the control group (7.3 ± 6.91 points vs 2.75 ± 3.46 points, respectively; P = .000005). More mothers in the study group demonstrated depressive features on BDI compared to controls (n = 14 psoriasis and n = 3 control, respectively; P = .009). BDI score did not correlate with any of the child's scores including severity of the child's psoriasis and the impact of psoriasis on child's QoL. CONCLUSIONS The current study demonstrates high levels of depressive symptoms among mothers of children with psoriasis. Presence of emotional disturbances among caregivers should be taken into consideration in the integrated approach to childhood dermatological disorders.