Urban outdoor air pollutants and their combination with meteorological conditions may impact onset of infantile eczema in both genders.

AimsThe aim of this study is to assess the level of alexithymia, coping strategies and stress contribution to illness in patients with psoriasis and atopic dermatitis in order to increase effectiveness of dermatological treatment.Method59 patients with atopic dermatitis, 67 with psoriasis and 65 healthy control group individuals were included in the cross-sectional study. Predominant complains of the patients: itching, widespread rashes and rashes on the open areas of the skin. In 85% patients with skin pathology onset of the disease and relapses were associated with stress, in 15% other factors.“The 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale” was used to assess alexithymia. “The Ways of Coping Checklist, Lazarus” was used to assess coping-strategies. “The Holmes and Rage Stress Inventory” was used to assess stress contribution to illness. Significance level: p < 0,05.ResultThe levels of alexithymia (p = 0.002), difficulty identifying feelings subscale (p = 0.02) and externally-oriented thinking subscale (p = 0.002) in patients with skin pathology (especially in those with psoriasis) were higher than in the control group.Patients with skin pathology turned out to be more susceptible to stress factors (p = 0.025) and less often use coping strategy “seeking social support” (p = 0.037).Patients with skin pathology with high levels of alexithymia and difficulty identifying feelings subscale more likely to use maladaptive “escape-avoidance” coping (p = 0.001).Patients with atopic dermatitis who find difficult to describe feelings are more likely to use maladaptive coping “distancing”(p = 0.002).In patients with psoriasis high levels of alexithymia and externally-oriented thinking subscale scores are associated with less common use of the adaptive coping “problem solving”(p = 0.001). Moreover, in patients with psoriasis high levels of difficulty identifying feelings subscale are associated with more common use of maladaptive “escape-avoidance” coping (p = 0.001).ConclusionThe results of the study confirm the need to include psychological assessment and psychotherapy in the treatment plan for patients with psoriasis and atopic dermatitis in order to improve emotional awareness and to develop more adaptive coping-strategies in patients.

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Введение. Стресс является одним из этиологических факторов для развития псориаза и атопического дерматита. Механизмы психологической защиты направлены на снижение тревожности и защиту психики от неприятных чувств в стрессовых ситуациях. Несостоятельность механизмов психологической защиты рассматривается в качестве возможного фактора провокации расстройств и их хронизации.Цель. Изучить механизмы психологической защиты и уровень стрессоустойчивости и социальной адаптации у пациентов с псориазом и атопическим дерматитом.Материалы и методы. Нами обследованы 59 пациентов с атопическим дерматитом и 67 с псориазом. Группу контроля составили 65 человек. Механизмы психологической защиты оценивались по методу «Индекс жизненного стиля». Уровень стрессоустойчивости и социальной адаптации оценивался по методу Холмса – Раге.Результаты. Чем длительнее заболевание в группе пациентов с псориазом, тем сильнее выражен механизм защиты «отрицание». При низкой сопротивляемости стрессу общая напряженность использования механизмов психологических защит возрастает в группах пациентов с псориазом и атопическим дерматитом. Пациенты с псориазом, у которых была выявлена низкая сопротивляемость стрессу, преимущественно используют механизмы психологической защиты «регрессия», «замещение» и «вытеснение». Пациенты с атопическим дерматитом при пороговой и низкой сопротивляемости стрессу чаще используют механизмы защиты «замещение» и «гиперкомпенсация».Заключение. Результаты исследования говорят о том, что пациенты с псориазом и атопическим дерматитом, имеющие низкую и пороговую сопротивляемость стрессу, а также длительно болеющие пациенты с псориазом нуждаются в психодиагностике механизмов психологических защит и обучении эффективному поведению для преодоления стресса. Это можно объяснить тем, что высокая напряженность и длительное использование механизмов психологических защит может приводить к дезадаптивному поведению, которое усугубляет существующие трудности в жизни пациента при наличии стресса. Introduction. Stress is one of the etiological factors of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. Psychological defense mechanisms are reducing anxiety and protecting mind from unpleasant feelings in stressful situations. Psychological defense mechanisms failure is considered as a possible factor of disorders and their chronicity.Objective. To assess psychological defense mechanisms, the level of stress resistance and social adaptation in patients with psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.Materials and methods. Patients with atopic dermatitis n=59, psoriasis n=67 and control group n=65 were included in the study. Psychological defense mechanisms were assessed by using «The Life Style Index». The level of stress resistance and social adaptation were assessed by using The Holmes & Rahe Stress Scale.Results. «Denial» as a psychological defense mechanism more expressed in long-term ill patients with psoriasis. The intensity of psychological defense mechanisms increases in patients with psoriasis and atopic dermatitis with low stress resistance. Patients with psoriasis and with low stress resistance predominantly use psychological defense mechanisms «regression», «displacement» and«repression». Patients with atopic dermatitis, with low and borderline stress resistance, more often use defense mechanisms «displacement» and «hypercompensation».Conclusions. Long-term ill patients with psoriasis, patients with atopic dermatitis and psoriasis with low and borderline stress resistance require psychological defense mechanisms evaluation. These patients needed to be trained effective stress management because excessive and prolonged use of psychological defense mechanisms can lead to maladaptive behavior that can enhance stress impact.

IntroductionEmotional intelligence (EI) is a fundamental requirement to maintaining social activity. Patients with psoriasis and atopic dermatitis have difficulties in emotional awareness.ObjectivesThe objective of this study is to assess EI in patients with atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.MethodsPatients with psoriasis n=67, atopic dermatitis n=59 and control group n=65 were included in cross-sectional study. EI and its main components (experiential: perceiving emotions and using emotions to facilitate thought; strategic: understanding emotions and managing emotions to promote personal growth and social relations) were assessed using The Mayer–Salovey–Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test 2.0. Statistical analyses were performed using One-Way ANOVA and One-Way ANOVA (Kruskal-Wallis test). The level of statistical significance was set at p<0.05.Data are presented as the Me (±SD).ResultsOur results show that there is statistically significant lower “strategic” component of EI for psoriasis Me=0.367 (±0.0455) and atopic dermatitis Me=0.369 (±0.0353) than for the control group Me= 0.381(±0.0361), (χ2 =7.15; p= 0.028). “Managing emotions to promote personal growth and social relations” is presented with statistically significant lower for psoriasis Me= 0,293 (±0.0374) and atopic dermatitis Me= 0.301 (±0.0351) than for the control group Me= 0.312 (±0.0272), (F=0.05; p=0.007). There is no statistically significant difference between other components of EI and the EI scores in three groups.ConclusionsPatients with psoriasis and atopic dermatitis have emotional difficulties when it comes to making effective decisions.DisclosureNo significant relationships.