ABSTRACT
The classification of self-inflicted skin lesions proposed by the European Society for Dermatology and Psychiatry (ESDaP) group generated questions with regard to specific treatments that could be recommended for such cases. The therapeutic guidelines in the current paper integrate new psychotherapies and psychotropic drugs without forgetting the most important relational characteristics required for dealing with people with these disorders. The management of self-inflicted skin lesions necessitates empathy and a doctor-patient relationship based on trust and confidence. Cognitive behavioural therapy and/or psychodynamic and psychoanalytic psychotherapy (alone, or combined with the careful use of psychotropic drugs) seem to achieve the best results in the most difficult cases. Relatively new therapeutic techniques, such as habit reversal and mentalization-based psychotherapy, may be beneficial in the treatment of skin picking syndromes.
Subject(s)
Dermatology , Factitious Disorders/therapy , Physician's Role , Self-Injurious Behavior/therapy , Skin/injuries , Factitious Disorders/psychology , Humans , Malingering/psychology , Malingering/therapy , Patient Care Team , Physician-Patient Relations , Psychotherapy , Psychotropic Drugs/therapeutic use , Wounds and Injuries/classification , Wounds and Injuries/psychology , Wounds and Injuries/therapyABSTRACT
Few well-defined, evidence-based nutritional recommendations for people with skin diseases have been published in the scientific literature and standard dermatological textbooks. Using a systematic review of acne vulgaris as an example, the aim of this study was to determine whether there are systematic studies on the topic and, if so, of what quality. Four evidence levels were defined: (A) double-blind randomized study; (B) randomized study with serious limitations/low number of cases; (C) case-control or cohort study; and (D) expert opinion/case report. PubMed and Cochrane searches were performed using combinations of the terms "diet", "nutrition", "meal" and "food" with "acne". Foodstuffs mentioned in relevant articles were subdivided by evidence level and recorded as having a beneficial (+), neutral (0) or adverse (-) effect. However, only a small proportion of studies met sufficiently high scientific standards that would enable therapeutic recommendations to be made in practice.
Subject(s)
Acne Vulgaris/diet therapy , Diet , Evidence-Based Medicine , HumansABSTRACT
The concept of what the doctor-patient relationship should be has changed increasingly in recent years. Previously, an asymmetric relationship was assumed. Compliance and adherence are terms used currently. The concordance model goes further and examines the effectiveness of the mutual process between the doctor and the patient. In this model the interaction is two-sided and involves finding a decision as partners. The origins of this approach are to be found in psychoanalytic theory.
Subject(s)
Dermatology , Patient Compliance , Physician-Patient Relations , Skin Diseases/psychology , Skin Diseases/therapy , Decision Making , HumansABSTRACT
The terminology, classification, diagnosis and treatment of self-inflicted dermatological lesions are subjects of open debate. The present study is the result of various meetings of a task force of dermatologists, psychiatrists and psychologists, all active in the field of psychodermatology, aimed at clarifying the terminology related to these disorders. A flow chart and glossary of terms and definitions are presented to facilitate the classification and management of self-inflicted skin lesions. Several terms are critically discussed, including: malingering; factitious disorders; Münchausen's syndrome; simulation; pathomimicry; skin picking syndrome and related skin damaging disorders; compulsive and impulsive skin picking; impulse control disorders; obsessive compulsive spectrum disorders; trichotillomania; dermatitis artefacta; factitial dermatitis; acne excoriée; and neurotic and psychogenic excoriations. Self-inflicted skin lesions are often correlated with mental disorders and/or patho-logical behaviours, thus it is important for dermatologists to become as familiar as possible with the psychiatric and psychological aspects underlying these lesions.
Subject(s)
Mental Disorders/psychology , Self-Injurious Behavior/psychology , Skin Diseases/psychology , Skin/injuries , Dermatology , Humans , Terminology as TopicABSTRACT
A total of 334 end-stage renal disease patients with moderate-to-severe uraemic xerosis were surveyed for quality of life assessment, using the generic Short-Form (SF-12) scale and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). In parallel, the intensity of xerosis at four sites (the two lower legs, chest, forearm without arterio-venous shunt) was assessed, using a five-point lesional intensity score. Pruritus was auto-assessed by the patients, using a 100-mm visual analogue scale. Uraemic xerosis patients had a marked deterioration in the Physical Component Summary of SF-12 (mean ± SD: 34.92 ± 9.98) and DLQI (5.06 ± 4.73). Younger age (r = -0.20), xerosis intensity (r = 0.14), and the presence of pruritus (p < 0.0001) and its intensity (r = 0.50) were shown to be significant worsening factors of DLQI. Because a low, but significant, correlation between the intensity of xerosis and pruritus was also demonstrated (r = 0.18), the direct contribution of age, xerosis and pruritus on DLQI was analysed in a multiple linear regression model. Age and pruritus intensity, but not xerosis intensity, were found to be independent contributors to DLQI deterioration (p < 0.0005). On the other hand, uraemic xerosis without associated pruritus still resulted in DLQI alteration (3.24 ± 3.99). It was concluded that young age and intensity of uraemic pruritus compromise quality of life in uraemic xerosis patients. Some characteristics of uraemic xerosis other than xerosis intensity may also be involved in quality of life alteration.
Subject(s)
Ichthyosis/psychology , Kidney Failure, Chronic/therapy , Pruritus/psychology , Quality of Life , Renal Dialysis/adverse effects , Uremia/psychology , Age Factors , Europe , Female , Humans , Ichthyosis/etiology , Ichthyosis/pathology , Kidney Failure, Chronic/complications , Kidney Failure, Chronic/pathology , Kidney Failure, Chronic/psychology , Linear Models , Male , Middle Aged , Pruritus/etiology , Pruritus/pathology , Risk Assessment , Risk Factors , Severity of Illness Index , Skin/pathology , Surveys and Questionnaires , Uremia/etiology , Uremia/pathologyABSTRACT
Facticious Disorders are self inflicted skin lesions and includes the creation of physical or psychiatric symptoms in oneself or other reference persons. In dermatology frequently, there are mechanical injuries by pressures, friction, occlusion, biting, cutting, stabbing, thermal burns or self-inflicted infections with wound-healing impairment, abscesses, mutilations or damages by acids and other toxic to the skin. The current classification differentiates between four groups: 1. Dermatitis artefacta syndrome in the narrower sense as unconscious/dissociated self-injury, 2. Dermatitis paraartefacta syndrome: Disorders of impulse control, often as manipulation of an existing specific dermatosis (often semi-conscious, admitted - self-injury), 3. Malingering: consciously simulated injuries and diseases to obtain material gain, 4. special forms, such as the Gardner Diamond Syndrome, Münchhausen Syndrome and Münchhausen-by-Proxy Syndrome. This categorization is helpful in understanding the different pathogenic mechanisms and the psychodynamics involved, as well as in developing various therapeutic avenues and determining the prognosis.
