Distribution pattern of psoriasis affects sexual function in moderate to severe psoriasis: a prospective case series...

Psoriasis may significantly impair sexual function. Depression and organic factors appear to play a key role in this relationship. However, beyond genital psoriasis, the importance of the distribution pattern of the disease has not been considered.

To investigate the role of the distribution pattern of psoriasis in sexual dysfunction.

A prospective case series study was carried out on 133 patients with moderate to severe psoriasis.

The participants completed the Massachusetts General Hospital-Sexual Functioning Questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Self-Administered Psoriasis Area and Severity Index.

Forty-four women (mean age 42.0 ± 14.1) and 79 men (mean age 47 ± 11.7) were included in the study. Psoriasis lesions on abdomen, genitals, lumbar region, and buttocks in women and chest, genitals, and buttocks in men were associated with an increase in sexual dysfunction. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the involvement of these specific areas may be independent risk factors for sexual dysfunction in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis.

This is the first study identifying body areas other than genitals as potentially related to sexual dysfunction in psoriasis patients. The results suggest that the assessment of sexual dysfunction and the involvement of these body areas should be considered as disease severity criteria when deciding on treatment for psoriasis patients.