Exploring Patients, Cognition of Living with Psoriasis

Abstract

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that has a significant impact on the patient's daily life. Understanding the illness cognition of psoriasis patients is critical for better disease management and improved quality of life. Aim of the study: Explore illness cognition of psoriasis patients. Subjects and method: Research design: The study was conducted using a descriptive research design. Setting: The study was carried out at Zagazig University Hospitals' dermatological outpatient clinic. Sample: A purposive sample of 120 psoriasis patients. Tool of data collection: An interview questionnaire was utilized to collect data about the following parts; (1) Socio-demographic data, (2) Disease characteristics, and (3) Illness Cognition Questionnaire (ICQ). The results revealed that 76.7% of psoriasis patients had low illness cognition. Also, 62.5% of the patients had high feeling of helplessness of living with psoriasis. Meanwhile, 54.2% of them had low acceptance and perceived benefits of living with psoriasis. Patients' illness cognition had significant relation with onset and duration of the disease. Patients' age, occupation, family income, commitment with treatment, and number of treatment were statistically significant negative predictors of their illness cognition. Conversely, gender, residence, educational level, and disease duration were positive ones. Conclusion: The majority of the studied patients had low illness cognition reflecting that living with psoriasis can be unacceptable and generate feeling of helplessness for the patients. Recommendations: Tailored interventions can be designed and provided to those patients with low Illness cognition for better management and adaptation with psoriasis.