A survey of the social and psychological effects of psoriasis

One hundred and four consecutive patients with psoriasis who were being treated in two Dublin dermatology hospital units answered a questionnaire. Social and emotional morbidity was present for many patients despite access to modern treatment facilities. Fifty five percent of patients had never experienced a complete remission from their psoriasis. A large percentage of patients avoided common social activities, for example swimming and sports; 50% felt that psoriasis had inhibited their sexual relationships and 11% of patients said they would avoid having children in case their offspring should develop the condition. Thirty-six per cent felt the hospital doctor spent most of the consultation time writing prescriptions and 59% of patients had never been given an explanatory pamphlet or book about psoriasis. To help patients to come to terms with what is for many a lifelong condition, greater efforts should be made to improve the communication at consultation, and provide more patient education.