[Factors associated with quality of life among patients with psoriasis. Comparison between psoriasis-specific QOL measures and generic QOL measures]

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to determine factors associated with QOL in patients with psoriasis. For comparison, we used psoriasis-specific and generic QOL measures.

Methods: The targeted participants were 228 patients diagnosed as having psoriasis. Our questionnaire had two versions, the first one answered by the physician, and the second one answered by the patients themselves. The physician's questionnaire collected data concerning demographic characteristics, complications, health habits, affected body surface area; BSA, PASI and so on. The patients' questionnaire asked for Self-BSA, Self-PASI, PDI, SF-36 and so on.

Results: Questionnaires were returned by 216 patients. In consideration of some missing data on PDI and SF-36, the data for only 200 patients were used for this analysis. Concerning PDI, significant sex differences in mean scores were shown in areas of 'daily activities' and 'work'. Concerning SF-36, significant sex differences were shown in all areas except for 'general health'. Multiple regression analysis suggested that for male patients the PDI total score was related to age, PASI and Self-PASI; the SF-36 total score was related to PASI and Self-PASI. For female patients, although it was suggested that the PDI total score was related to PASI and Self-PASI, the SF-36 total score was related to Self-PASI only. On the whole, PDI was related much stronger for PASI and Self-PASI than was SF-36. Furthermore, in female patients the Self-PASI score was strongly related to QOL scores. Therefore considering QOL for female patients, Self-PASI is possibly more useful than PASI.

Conclusions: These findings indicate that severity of disease, sex and age are associated with QOL. PDI and Self-PASI are useful tools for the assessment and care of psoriasis patients considering QOL.