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. 2019 Aug;36(4):425-430.
doi: 10.5114/ada.2018.80271. Epub 2019 Aug 30.

Stigmatization in Arabic psoriatic patients in the United Arab Emirates - a cross sectional study

Dimitre Dimitrov  1 , Łukasz Matusiak  2 , Jacek C Szepietowski  2
Affiliations

Stigmatization in Arabic psoriatic patients in the United Arab Emirates - a cross sectional study

Dimitre Dimitrov et al. Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2019 Aug.

Abstract

Introduction: Stigmatization is the phenomenon of labeling negatively people who differ from social norms in some aspect. It seems to be a common and important problem in dermatology. Psoriasis, being a chronic and recurrent skin disease, is frequently associated with various psychosocial consequences.

Aim: To evaluate the stigmatization level in an Arabic population of psoriatic individuals.

Material and methods: A total of 108 consecutive patients suffering from psoriasis were enrolled in the study. All recruited subjects were of Arabic origin. Severity of psoriasis was documented with the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). Stigmatization was assessed with validated Arabic language versions of the 6-item Stigmatization Scale and the Feelings of Stigmatization Questionnaire. Moreover, all patients were asked to complete the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire.

Results: The majority of patients showed feelings of stigmatization due to psoriasis. The mean level of stigmatization was 5.6 ±4.5 points assessed by the 6-item Stigmatization Scale and 98.4 ±26.4 points by the Feelings of Stigmatization Questionnaire. Positive attitudes and feeling of being flawed were the most bothersome aspects of stigmatization expressed by patients. Involvement of the face appeared to be the only independent factor influencing the stigmatization level. In the Feelings of Stigmatization Questionnaire, itching was found to be a factor responsible for feelings of stigmatization.

Conclusions: Our study indicated that stigmatization is common among psoriatic Arabic patients. We postulate that measurement of stigmatization level could contribute to the holistic therapeutic approach of psoriatic patients.

Keywords: psoriasis; quality of life; stigmatization.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Face involvement and stigmatization (A – 6-item Stigmatization Scale, B – Feelings of Stigmatization Questionnaire) in psoriatic patients
Figure 2
Figure 2
Correlation between quality of life (Dermatology Life Quality Index – DLQI) and stigmatization level (A – 6-item Stigmatization Scale; B – Feelings of Stigmatization Questionnaire)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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