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Does psychological intervention help chronic skin conditions?
H S Capoore1, C M Rowland Payne, D Goldin
1Department of Dermatology, Kent & Canterbury Hospital, UK.
Postgraduate Medical Journal
|April 10, 1999
Summary
Psychological assessments significantly improve chronic skin conditions like eczema, prurigo, and psoriasis. This psychiatric liaison approach aids dermatology, with most patients showing positive responses and improvement.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Dermatology
- Psychosomatic Medicine
Background:
- Chronic and intractable dermatological conditions often have psychological components.
- Understanding the interplay between life events and skin disorders is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of psychological/psychiatric assessment on patients with chronic skin disorders.
- To identify temporal links between adverse life events and the onset of dermatological conditions.
Main Methods:
- Diagnostic interviews were conducted to correlate life events with skin disorder onset.
- Dermatological assessments tracked changes in skin conditions post-psychiatric evaluation.
- Study included patients with atopic eczema, prurigo, and psoriasis, with follow-up up to 5 years.
Main Results:
- A favorable response was observed in 40 out of 64 patients (62.5%).
- Improvements were typically noted within weeks and sustained over time.
- Remission occurred in 12 patients, with 28 experiencing some improvement.
Conclusions:
- Psychiatric assessment is a valuable adjunct to standard dermatological care for chronic skin conditions.
- The liaison between dermatology and psychiatry demonstrated significant patient improvement.
- This integrated approach positively impacts the majority of patients with severe skin disorders.
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