A Study of Impact of Psoriasis on Quality of Life – A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Psoriasis is an immune-mediated, chronic inflammatory skin disease characterised by patches of thick, red skin with silvery-white scales that itch or burn, typically on the elbows, knees, scalp, trunk, palms, and soles of the feet. It is known to significantly impair patients' psychological and social well-being. Quality of life impairment in psoriasis is influenced by a range of sociodemographic and clinical factors that remain under-studied in many populations. The current study aimed to assess the impact of psoriasis on quality of life among affected patients and to identify the sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with this impairment. Material and Methods: This hospital-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among 50 clinically diagnosed patients with psoriasis attending the dermatology department. The disease severity was assessed using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), and quality of life was evaluated using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire. Sociodemographic and clinical data were recorded on a pre-tested proforma, and associations were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests, with p < 0.05 considered significant. Results: The mean age of participants was 41.2 ± 12.6 years, with a male predominance (64.0%). Disease severity was mild in 36.0%, moderate in 38.0%, and severe in 26.0% of patients (mean PASI 9.8 ± 6.2). The mean DLQI score was 11.4 ± 6.3, with 50.0% of patients reporting a very large to extremely large effect on quality of life; the symptoms/feelings domain was most affected. Significant associations were observed between DLQI impairment (>10) and female sex (72.2% vs. 37.5%; p = 0.048), lower socioeconomic status (75.0%; p = 0.036), increasing PASI severity (p < 0.001), comorbid psoriatic arthritis (87.5%; p = 0.012), stress (65.4%; p = 0.008), and longer disease duration (66.7%; p = 0.041). A moderate positive correlation was found between PASI and DLQI scores (r = 0.62, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Psoriasis affects the quality of life considerably, particularly among female patients, lower socioeconomic status, and with greater disease severity or comorbid psoriatic arthritis. An integrated management approach addressing psychological and socioeconomic factors, alongside skin-directed therapy, is required to improve patient outcomes.

Keywords: Psoriasis, Quality of life, Dermatology Life Quality Index, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index, Cross-sectional study.