Background: Numerous studies have analyzed the influence of psoriasis on the quality of life and psychosocial health of patients. However, few studies have addressed the effect of this disease on individuals living with these patients (cohabitants).
Objective: To analyze the influence of psoriasis on the levels of anxiety, depression, and quality of life of the cohabitants of psoriatic patients.
Methods: The study included patients, cohabitants, and controls, a total of 130 participants. Their quality of life was measured with the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI), and their psychological state with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Demographic data of participants and clinical characteristics of patients were also gathered.
Results: The presence of psoriasis impaired the quality of life of 87.8% of the cohabitants. FDLQI scores of cohabitants were significantly associated with the DLQI scores of the patients (rs = 0.554; P < .001). Anxiety and depression levels did not differ between patients and cohabitants, but were significantly higher than in the controls (P < .001).
Limitations: Additional studies with larger numbers of patients and cohabitants are required to analyze differences between groups according to psoriasis severity.
Conclusion: Psoriasis markedly worsens the global well-being of patients and their cohabitants, who experienced an impairment of their quality of life and higher levels of anxiety and depression.
Keywords: DLQI; FDLQI; HADS; cohabitants; psoriasis; quality of life; secondary impact.
Copyright © 2014 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.