Impact of psoriasis in the quality of life of children, adolescents and their families: a cross-sectional study

Abstract: Background: Psoriasis is a chronic and inflammatory disease that impairs quality of life and causes psychological symptoms. Despite the high prevalence of psoriasis in pediatric patients, studies investigating the impact of psoriasis in the quality of life of children, adolescents and families are sparse. Objective: To investigate the impact of psoriasis in the quality of life of children and adolescents with psoriasis and their families and to determine depression and anxiety levels of the patients. Methods: A total of 58 patients with psoriasis aged 7-18 years (median age: 11) and a family member of each patient were included in the study. Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI), Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI), Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC) were used in the study. Results: The median PASI score of the patients included in the study was 1.8. The median CDLQI and FDLQI scores in the study groups were 5 and 10, respectively. The median CDI score, STAIC-state and STAIC-trait scores of the patients were 6, 28 and 32.5, respectively. Study limitations: Lack of a control group and patient assessment of disease severity. Relatively mild disease severity of the subjects. Conclusions: Psoriasis has a negative impact in the quality of life of children, adolescents and their families, even in the presence of mild disease. Considering that impairment in quality of life may be associated with psychosocial morbidity, a combined approach with medical therapy, family counseling and quality of life assessment may be beneficial in this patient group.

Atypical presentations of eosinophilic fasciitis.

Eosinophilic fasciitis is an uncommon connective tissue disease that may mimic and overlap with other sclerosing disorders such as morphea and lichen sclerosus. Herein, we report four patients (two men and two women, aged 16-64 yeas) with eosinophilic fasciitis. There was overlap with both morphea and lichen sclerosus in 2 patients and with morphoea alone in 1 patient. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used for diagnosis in three patients and for assessing treatment response in one patient. Eosinophilic fasciitis may co-exist with morhoea and lichen sclerosus. In view of the overlapping clinical and histopathological features of these disorders, MRI may be helful in delineating the conditions by detecting involvement of fascia.