Dyadic and Sexual Functioning in Psoriasis: A Comparative Study in the Turkish Population

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory papulosquamous skin disease whose psychological and interpersonal effects are underrecognized. This study aimed to evaluate dyadic adjustment and sexual functioning in patients with psoriasis and their spouses, in comparison with healthy controls.

The study included three groups: psoriasis patients (n=47), their spouses (n=40), and healthy controls (HC) (n=42). The Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) were administered to the patient group, while the Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI) was administered to the spouse group. The Short Form-12 Health Survey (SF-12), the Dyadic Adjustment Scale-Revised (RDAS), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX) were administered to all three groups.

Sexual dysfunction was observed in 83% of patients, 65% of spouses, and 50% of healthy controls. RDAS total and subscale scores (consensus, cohesion, satisfaction) were significantly lower in patients and spouses compared with healthy controls (p<0.001). Patients had significantly higher BDI scores than both spouses (p=0.016) and controls (p=0.002), and significantly lower physical and mental SF-12 scores. In spouses, FDLQI scores positively correlated with BDI (r=0.369, p=0.021) and negatively with SF-12 mental scores (r=-0.505, p=0.001). Regression analysis revealed that depressive symptoms (p=0.004) and disease duration (p=0.049) significantly predicted sexual dysfunction.

Psoriasis exerts a substantial psychosocial burden not only on patients but also on their spouses. Addressing relational and sexual well-being in clinical care may improve overall quality of life for affected couples.