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Abstract

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic immune-related skin disorder affecting 2–3% globally, linked to heart disease, joint issues, metabolic syndrome, and psychological disorders. It also impacts social life, mental health, and work productivity, with added challenges in Middle Eastern patients due to stigma and limited healthcare access. Aim: To assess the psychological and functional impact of psoriasis on patients attending Al-Diwaniyah Teaching Hospital. It focuses on anxiety, depression, social disengagement, and effects on daily activities like work, exercise, sleep, and hygiene. The study also explores the relationship between disease severity and impairment levels. Material and Methods: The study was conducted at Al-Diwaniyah Teaching Hospital using a convenience sample of 110 psoriasis patients. Data were collected through a structured, self-administered questionnaire based on a modified DLQI, covering demographics, psychological impact (9 questions, max 36), and daily activity impact (10 questions, max 40). Scores ranged from 0 to 76, classified as no impact (0–15), mild (16–30), moderate (31–50), and severe (51–76). Data analysis included Monte Carlo exact tests, chi-square tests, and descriptive statistics, with a significance level of 0.05. Results: Most patients experienced moderate psychological impact and mild daily activity impairment. Higher psychological burden was noted among women, unemployed individuals, those with no schooling, remote residents, family history of psoriasis, irregular treatment adherence, or disease duration over 5 years. Common psychological symptoms were embarrassment (71.6%), anxiety (54.5%), and low self-confidence (59.6%). Functional difficulties mainly involved sleep, concentration, and avoiding social situations. Conclusions: Psoriasis patients, especially younger, unemployed, and rural residents, face significant psychological and functional challenges. Comprehensive management should address mental health and quality of life and provide timely interventions with accessible treatments and psychosocial support. Policymakers and healthcare providers should prioritize multidisciplinary care and awareness campaigns to reduce stigma and improve outcomes.

Article Type

Article

First Page

15

Last Page

20

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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