Prevalence and Characteristics of Psoriasis in Romania—First Study in Overall Population

Nicolescu, Alin; Bucur, Ștefana; Giurcăneanu, Călin; Solovăstru, Laura Gheuca; Constantin, Traian; Furtunescu, Florentina; Ancuta, I.; Constantin, Maria Magdalena

doi:10.3390/jpm11060523

Cited by 21 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Using convenience sampling, it was determined that a total of 45 psoriasis cases were adequate for representing the general population considering a prevalence of 2–3% of psoriasis in the Romanian adult population [ 13 ], a confidence level of 95% and a margin of error of 5%. Those who agreed to participate were split into patients and controls, while the cohort of patients was further split into three age groups to determine their age-related quality of life and coping mechanisms.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Implication of Misinformation and Stigma in Age-Related Quality of Life, Depression, and Coping Mechanisms of Adult Patients with Psoriasis

et al. 2022

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Background and Objectives: Stigma and lack of acceptance in society might have detrimental effects on the quality of life of patients with psoriasis, sometimes being comparable with other chronic diseases and conditions that affect the appearance of a patient, such as burns. Therefore, we surveyed our patients diagnosed with psoriasis to determine the implications of misinformation and stigma for their quality of life, depression, and coping strategies stratified by different age categories. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed for a sample size of a minimum of 45 patients considering a prevalence of psoriasis of 2–3% in the general population. The study participants (patients and controls) were given both a paper-based unstandardized questionnaire and an online version of three standardized surveys. The cohort of patients was further split into three age groups to determine their age-related quality of life and coping mechanisms. Results: The proportion of patients with a history of depression and depressive symptoms among patients with psoriasis was significantly higher. Multiple discrepancies were observed between patients and controls regarding questions that targeted stigma and misinformation. On the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory (COPE-60) questionnaire, older patients were more likely to use positive coping mechanisms such as engagement and problem-focused coping, while the young patients were using more emotion-focused coping mechanisms. However, patients in the 30–50 age range group scored the highest on physical and mental health among all participants who filled the 12-Item Short Form Survey (SF-12) survey. The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) results showed significantly more patients answering “a lot and very much” concerning embarrassment and social activities, while sexual difficulties affected the older patients. The strongest correlations with depression were observed in the young patient group, who believed that psoriasis can cause skin cancer (rho = 0.418) and who had sexual difficulties (rho = 0.414) and embarrassment (rho = 0.359) as evaluated by the DLQI survey. In the 30- to 50-year-old group, the strongest correlations were with the feeling of being stigmatized (rho = 0.376), having sexual difficulties (rho = 0.367) and disengagement coping style (rho = 273). Conclusions: While the respondents are reasonably well-informed regarding psoriasis, a degree of stigma remains, likely due to involuntary emotional responses such as repulsion and embarrassment. It is essential to establish initiatives aimed at educating the general public, raising awareness, and establishing a more tolerant social environment for psoriasis patients.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Implication of Misinformation and Stigma in Age-Related Quality of Life, Depression, and Coping Mechanisms of Adult Patients with Psoriasis

et al. 2022

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“…In Romania, psoriasis affects approximately 400,000 people, as evidenced by the first epidemiological study published recently in 2021 [12]. The prevalence of psoriasis vulgaris within this study was 4.99% [12] (although there are other sources reporting percentages as high as 5.18) [13]; this study is currently continuing in order to assess factors contributing to the increase in psoriasis prevalence over time [12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 69%

Psoriasis Management Challenges Regarding Difficult-to-Treat Areas: Therapeutic Decision and Effectiveness

Nicolescu

Ionescu

Constantin

et al. 2022

Life

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Psoriasis is not optimally controlled in spite of newly developed treatments, possibly due to the difficulty of objectively quantifying the disease’s severity, considering the limitations of the clinical scores used in clinical practice. A major challenge addresses difficult-to-treat areas, especially in the absence of significant body surface involvement. It is controversial whether the severity evaluation of patients with several affected areas (having at least one difficult-to-treat area) should be done differently from current methods. Scores used for special areas (PSSI, NAPSI and ESIF) allow an accurate assessment of disease severity in difficult-to-treat areas, but the issue of whether to integrate these scores into PASI, BSA or DLQI remains. The review’s purpose resides in providing an overview of the main current issues in determining psoriasis severity in patients with psoriasis in difficult-to-treat areas and suggesting possible solutions for the optimal integration of the area assessment in current scores: severity can be either established according to the highest calculated score (PASI or PSSI or NAPSI or ESIF) or by adding a correction factor in the calculation of PASI for special areas.

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“…Psoriasis, a commune and persistent immune-mediated skin condition [ 1 ], has an estimated prevalence of approximately 2% of the global adult population [ 2 , 3 ] and affects men and women equally [ 4 ]. The reported prevalence of psoriasis in Romania is 5.18% [ 5 , 6 ]. Although onset of psoriasis may occur at any age from early infancy to old age, it typically starts in 60% of patients before the age of 30 and in 14% before the age of 10 [ 4 , 7 , 8 ]; consequently, chronicity, the requirement for ongoing medical attention, and its impact on physical appearance can undoubtedly affect the mental health and quality of life of the patients.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Psoriasis Disability Index in Romanian Psoriasis Patients during COVID-19 Pandemic: Contribution of Clinical and Psychological Variables

Mihu,

Popescu,

Neag

et al. 2023

JCM

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Background: Psoriasis is one of the most frequent chronic inflammatory skin diseases and has a negative impact on the interpersonal relationship and psychosocial well-being. The aims of this study were to examine the effects of intensity of pruritus on quality of life and depression, to investigate the relationship between anger, self-esteem, and depression, and to compare patients with early and late onset of psoriasis. As our study was carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic, we aimed also to investigate the safety concerns and anxiety related to COVID-19 in psoriasis patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 137 patients diagnosed with plaque psoriasis. The patients were classified as early-onset (age < 30 years) and late-onset psoriasis (age ≥ 30 years). Duration of disease, pruritus scores, and socio-demographic characteristics were recorded. Measures included the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Psoriasis Disability Index (PDI), and Fear and anxiety in relationship with COVID-19 Scale were used for determining anger, anger expression style, self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and quality of life. Results: The psoriasis patients had a lower score for self-esteem than the normative data from the Romanian general population. The average scores for state anger and trait anger are similar to the normative data from the Romanian general population, but the scores for anger-in and anger-out are higher. Patients with early onset had higher depression scores and lower quality of life. Self-esteem correlates negatively with depression, anger, severity of disability due to psoriasis, number of affected areas, and duration of disease. Lower level of self-esteem led to increased anger. Conclusions: Reduced self-esteem, increased anger levels, and depression are present in psoriasis patients. The effective treatment of psoriasis must, therefore, consist of a multidisciplinary approach, in which the personalized treatment of the skin condition is as important as the adjuvant therapies that reduce the patients’ stress level.

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Prevalence and Characteristics of Psoriasis in Romania—First Study in Overall Population

Cited by 21 publications

References 23 publications

The Implication of Misinformation and Stigma in Age-Related Quality of Life, Depression, and Coping Mechanisms of Adult Patients with Psoriasis

The Implication of Misinformation and Stigma in Age-Related Quality of Life, Depression, and Coping Mechanisms of Adult Patients with Psoriasis

Psoriasis Management Challenges Regarding Difficult-to-Treat Areas: Therapeutic Decision and Effectiveness

The Psoriasis Disability Index in Romanian Psoriasis Patients during COVID-19 Pandemic: Contribution of Clinical and Psychological Variables

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