Stress level of people with psoriasis at a public hospital

Abstract

BackgroundPsoriasis is a chronic dermatosis of unknown etiology with a tendency to relapse after treatment. The disease is frequently linked to psychological stress due to the embarrassment caused by the lesions.ObjectiveTo analyze the stress level presented by psoriasis patients followed at the Dermatology Service of a public hospital in Salvador, Bahia state, Brazil.MethodsA cross-sectional study of a consecutive convenience sample composed of 60 participants. We used Lipp's Stress Symptoms Inventory for Adults to assess stress levels. The questionnaire identifies and classifies physical and psychological symptoms according to three stages of stress: alarming, resistance, and exhaustion. We also collected socio-demographic and clinical data that could be associated with psoriasis.Results85% of the participants presented stress. Lipp's questionnaire results revealed that 48% were in the resistance stage and 37% in the exhaustion stage. Women presented higher levels of stress. Of the total 28 women, 64% were in exhaustion stage, 29% in the resistance stage, and only 7% presented no stress symptoms. Of the total 32 men, 44% were in resistance stage, 34% in exhaustion stage, and 22% presented no stress symptoms. Regarding physical and psychological symptoms, psychological symptomatology was prevalent (55%).ConclusionsBased on the number of patients in exhaustion stage, we can conclude that stress levels of the participants were high regardless the type of psoriasis and treatment duration.

Perceived stress, life events, fatigue and temperament in patients with psoriasis

“…6,7 A previous study reported that 85% of patients with psoriasis presented with stress. 18 In an international cross-sectional epidemiological psoriasis study, it was suggested that flares or outbreaks of psoriasis are most often triggered by stress. 19 The percentage of patients with psoriasis that associated stress with outbreaks of psoriasis has also been reported to increase.…”

Influence of stress on the development of psoriasis

“…a life experience involving a profound change in a person’s existence, had occurred 1 month before the onset of psoriasis in 72% of 179 patients. Overall, estimates of the rates of stress‐related psoriasis range from 26 to 88% in epidemiological studies . Additionally, patients who report high levels of psychological stress display more severe skin and joint symptoms than those with lower reported levels of psychological stress .…”

“…Overall, estimates of the rates of stress-related psoriasis range from 26 to 88% in epidemiological studies. [6][7][8] Additionally, patients who report high levels of psychological stress display more severe skin and joint symptoms than those with lower reported levels of psychological stress. 9 However, other studies have failed to establish a relationship between stress and psoriasis.…”

Stress and psoriasis

“…One of these two studies was criticized because the group of 16 patients with psoriasis and 16 control subjects was considered too small for conclusions to be drawn . The role of stress is more frequently incriminated by women suffering from psoriasis . This difference may be explained by the greater importance given by women to the impact of the disease on body image and self‐esteem .…”

“…40 The role of stress is more frequently incriminated by women suffering from psoriasis. [42][43][44][45][46] This difference may be explained by the greater importance given by women to the impact of the disease on body image and self-esteem. 46 The role of stress is more frequently invoked by patients suffering from joint psoriasis than by those with psoriasis with exclusively dermatological symptoms.…”