Effect of Disease Severity on the Quality of Life and Sense of Stigmatization in Psoriatics

INTRODUCTION: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin having a profound effect on the quality of life and contributing to the sense of stigmatization in the affected patients. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of psoriasis severity on the quality of life and sense of stigmatization in psoriatics and to investigate relationships between these measures and sociodemographic variables. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 111 patients with psoriasis. The inclusion criteria of the study were the diagnosis of psoriasis and written informed consent to participate. The study was based on a short survey prepared by the authors and four validated scales: Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), 6-item Stigmatization Scale, 33-item Feelings of Stigmatization Questionnaire, and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). RESULTS: Mean PASI score for the study group was 14 pts. Most respondents presented with low DLQI scores, with the mean value of 10.8 pts suggesting that the disease-related ailments were not extremely burdensome for the majority of the patients. Mean stigmatization scores for the 6- and 33-item scale were 7–8 and 81–82 pts, respectively. CONCLUSION: The severity of psoriasis was the strongest determinant of the quality of life measured with the DLQI. Also, the levels of stigmatization determined with the 6- and 33-item scale correlated significantly with PASI scores.