IntroductionChronic urticaria (CU) belongs to a group of psychodermatological disorders, thus stress can play a significant role in this dermatosis onset and/or exacerbation. On the other hand, the disease itself accompanied by itch, may be a source of distress and could worsen patients’ quality of life (QoL).AimThe first goal of our study was to compare stress intensity between CU subjects and the control group. The second aim was to investigate the relationships between disease-related parameters (CU severity, itch) and psychological variables (stress and QoL) in CU patients.Material and methodsForty-six female patients with CU participated in our study. Thirty-three healthy females constituted a control group. The following methods were applied: Urticaria Activity Score (UAS), Itch Severity Evaluation Questionnaire, Visual analogue scale (VAS), Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) and the Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life Questionnaire (CU-Q2oL).ResultsChronic urticaria patients demonstrated a significantly higher stress level in comparison to the control group (z = 2.699; p < 0.001). Regarding the total pruritus score, all CU-Q2oL dimensions were affected, except for subscale swelling/mental status. The strongest link was revealed between global itch and QoL subscale embarrassment (r = 0.51, p < 0.001). There were also statistically significant correlations between stress (VAS scale and SRRS) and QoL (all at least p < 0.05).Conclusions: Taking into account the significant pruritus contribution to QoL impairment, it would be worth employing itch-coping trainings in the CU group. As a consequence, feeling of self-control and self-efficacy could be enhanced, thus resulting in the well-being improvement.

BackgroundNumerous literature data evaluating quality of life in dermatological patients demonstrate this parameter to be considerably decreased. Psoriasis is among most studied dermatological disorders, demonstrating decreased quality of life in all examined dimensions. However, there are inconsistent data on disease influence, health related quality of life (HRQoL) and life satisfaction in psoriatic patients. The aims of the study were the following: a) to determine the level of general life satisfaction and HRQoL in psoriasis patients; b) to differenti-ate factors combined with life satisfaction and HRQoL assessment and determine whether the same variables are connected with life satisfaction and HRQoL. The general life satisfaction and HRQoL are response varia-bles. Age and sex of the patients, educational status, disease severity, expressed as Psoriasis Area and Severi-ty Index (PASI), marital status, pruritus severity, disease duration, and family history of psoriasis (explanatory variables) were taken into consideration too.Participants and procedureThe study comprised 97 psoriasis inpatients. The Life Satisfaction Questionnaire (FLZ) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) were used.ResultsPsoriatic patients demonstrated decreased life satisfaction and HRQoL in all domains. Psoriasis patients who had partners evaluated life satisfaction in Health, Financial situation, Myself, Accommodation and Sex domains as much better than singles. Total life satisfaction and HRQoL decreased with age. The study has shown that life satisfaction is different from HRQoL.ConclusionsThe observation that total life satisfaction is not strongly determined only by medical/somatic factors could be regarded as a valuable insight for further research to determine why the majority of dermatological patients are not fully compliant.

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Liczne badania dowodzą, że stres i wypalenie zawodowe stały się istotnym problemem wśród osób mających w pracy codzienny kontakt z innymi ludźmi. Od lat obszarem badań nad zagrożeniami nadmiernym stresem i wypaleniem zawodowym jest szeroko rozumiana opieka zdrowotna i krąg zawodów medycznych. Obok dobrze rozpoznanych warunków pracy lekarzy, pielęgniarek, położnych czy fizjoterapeutów stosunkowo niewiele analiz prowadzono do tej pory wśród pracowników sektora farmaceutycznego – branży towarzyszącej służbie zdrowia i ściśle z nią współpracującej. Wśród zawodów, których przedstawiciele są narażeni na ciągły stres, wskazać można samodzielnych menedżerów, przedstawicieli naukowo-medycznych oraz farmaceutów. Celem podjętych badań było ustalenie stopnia, w jakim poziom odczuwanego stresu wpływa na pojawienie się zjawiska wypalenia zawodowego wśród osób zatrudnionych w firmach farmaceutycznych oraz w aptekach. Poszukując odpowiedzi na związane z oboma grupami pytania badawcze, wykorzystano trzy standaryzowane narzędzia: Skalę Odczuwanego Stresu (PSS-10, Perceived Stress Scale), Inwentarz do Pomiaru Radzenia Sobie ze Stresem (Mini-COPE) oraz Inwentarz Wypalenia Zawodowego (MBI, Maslach Burnout Inventory).