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Measuring Psoriasis Severity at Home
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Measuring Psoriasis Severity at Home

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Quality of life and clinical features in Swedish children with psoriasis

Agneta Gånemo1, Carl-Fredrik Wahlgren, Åke Svensson

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Institute of Clinical Research in Malmö, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden. agneta.ganemo@skane.se

Pediatric Dermatology
|July 9, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Childhood psoriasis significantly impacts quality of life for children and their parents. Joint pain and itching are key factors worsening the quality of life for pediatric psoriasis patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Dermatology
  • Quality of Life Research
  • Chronic Disease Management

Background:

  • Psoriasis is a common chronic skin condition affecting children, often starting in early life.
  • The disease burden extends beyond physical symptoms, impacting psychosocial well-being.
  • Quality of life assessments are crucial for understanding the comprehensive effects of pediatric psoriasis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of childhood psoriasis on the quality of life of affected children and their parents.
  • To explore correlations between clinical psoriasis indicators and quality of life outcomes.
  • To identify specific clinical factors that exacerbate the quality of life burden in pediatric psoriasis.

Main Methods:

  • A study involving 45 Swedish children (4-16 years) with psoriasis and their parents.
  • Utilized validated quality of life questionnaires: Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index, Infant's Dermatitis Quality of Life Index, and Dermatitis Family Impact.
  • Clinical assessments included Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scoring and documentation of joint complaints and pruritus.

Main Results:

  • Chronic plaque psoriasis was the predominant type (87%).
  • Significant quality of life impairments were reported by children and parents, with median scores of 4.0 across relevant indices.
  • Younger children (5-8 years) and those with joint complaints reported higher quality of life impacts.
  • Parental impact scores correlated with child quality of life and disease severity (PASI).

Conclusions:

  • Childhood psoriasis substantially diminishes the quality of life for both children and their families.
  • Joint complaints and pruritus are significant clinical factors contributing to reduced quality of life.
  • Disease severity (PASI) did not directly correlate with child-reported quality of life, but parental impact did.

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