Psoriasis and Its Relationship With Somatosensory Amplification, Health Anxiety, and Depression

Objective The present study investigates the relationship between psoriasis and diseases such as health anxiety, depression, and somatosensory amplification. Methods The participating patients (n=117, including 60 psoriasis patients and 57 controls) filled out the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS), and Health Anxiety Inventory (HAI) questionnaires. Results The mean scores from SSAS, HAI, and BDI were significantly higher in the psoriasis group than in the control group (p<0.05 in all comparisons). When the group medians of BAI were evaluated, the differences were not statistically significant, although BAI medians were higher in the patient group. Furthermore, a moderate correlation was found between the involvement of specific areas (especially the scalp and face) and SSAS scores. Conclusion Patients with psoriasis score highly in depression, health anxiety, and somatosensory amplification, and there was a moderate correlation between specific body area involvement (especially the scalp and face) and SSAS score. The results of this study seem to indicate that psychiatric assessment and treatment approaches should be included in the treatment of such chronic skin diseases as psoriasis that follow a life-long remission and relapse pattern.