comparative study of depression and anxiety in psoriasis and other chronic skin diseases

ABSTRACT

Psoriasis is often associated with psychological disorders and social discomfort. To compare depression and subcomponents of anxiety among psoriasis patients and controls with other chronic skin disorders. 162 psoriasis patients and 200 patients with other chronic skin disorders in the age group of 14-60 years were selected from Dermatology and Venereology Outpatient Department of Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Amritsar. The participants responded to IPAT Anxiety scale and Zungs Self-Rating Depression Scale. The data was analyzed statistically. The results of present study clearly revealed that psoriasis patients scored higher on depression and different sub-components of anxiety namely low self control, suspicion, apprehension and tension as compared to the control group. The findings of the present study highlight the higher prevalence of depression and anxiety in the psoriasis patients as compared to patients with other chronic skin diseases; it also shows importance of psychological adjustment in patient with psoriasis. It is recommended that the patients with psoriasis require psychological evaluation and management along with medical treatment