Quality of Life and Severity of Skin Changes in the Dynamics of Psoriasis

12.00 Background: Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease with periods of recurrence and remission. The skin changes which are typical for this disease can have a considerable effect on the patient's psychological state, self-esteem and body image. It can also affect the patient's functioning in all areas of life and quality of life. Objective(s): The present authors tried to assess selected aspects of quality of life in patients with psoriasis depending on the severity of clinical parameters. Materials & Methods: The study was conducted in two stages on 100 patients aged from 18 to 66. A dermatological examination was conducted in stage one. Patients' dermatological condition was assessed with the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI).Clinical and socio-economic information was collected in stage two using a questionnaire, a medical interview and a standardized questionnaire measuring quality of life, the WHOQoL-BREF. Results: The following factors had the greatest effect on general quality of life and quality of health ratings in the studied sample: severity of psoriatic changes, duration of most recent recurrence and sex. Severity of psoriatic changes had a negative effect on the patient's somatic, psychological, environmental and social functioning. Duration of the most recent recurrence had a negative effect on social functioning. Conclusion: Quality of life is more impaired with more severe chronic skin disease Normal 0 21 false false false PL X-NONE X-NONE