An Investigation of Mental Health and Its Association with Demographic and Clinical Variables in Psoriasis Patients Referred to the Rheumatology Clinic of Golestan Hospital in Ahvaz

Abstract

Background: Psoriasis is a relatively common inflammatory skin disease characterized by red, scaly plaques in different parts of the body. Although the etiology of the disease is not fully understood, psychological stress is mentioned as a potential factor in developing the disease. Objectives: In this study, in response to the lack of sufficient information obtained from assessing the influence of psoriasis on mental health, an attempt has been made to evaluate the prevalence of mental health problems in a sample of patients with psoriasis. Methods: This study was conducted following an applied, descriptive-correlational study design. A total of 104 patients with psoriasis were selected using the census sampling method. Data were collected using the standardized Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) questionnaire. This self-administering questionnaire contains 90 items. The reliability and validity of the questionnaire were confirmed. Results: The mean score of mental health was 177.51 ± 69.35, which indicates moderate psychiatric disorders. The positive symptom distress index (PSDI) was 0.22 ± 0.08. There was a significant association between all dimensions of mental health and the total score of mental health with gender (P < 0.05). Also, a significant association was found between paranoid ideation and marital status (P = 0.024). There was no significant association between obsessive-compulsive, anxiety, and the total score of mental health with income level (P > 0.05), but there was a significant association between other dimensions of mental health and income level (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Although in the present study, psychiatric disorders in patients with psoriasis were moderate, psychological counseling and psychiatric consultation are key to reduce the consequences of the disease and its progression.