Body Modifications in Patients with Chronic Dermatoses: Associations with Body Dysmorphic Disorder and Illness...

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Psychology
• Medical Sociology

Background:

• Body modifications (tattoos, piercings) are increasingly prevalent.
• Psychological implications of body modifications in dermatology patients are understudied.
• Understanding these links is crucial for holistic patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of body modifications in dermatology outpatients.
• To investigate the association between body modifications and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) symptom tendencies.
• To examine the relationship between body modifications and illness acceptance.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional survey of 333 dermatology outpatients in Poland.
• Data collected on demographics, chronic skin disease, tattoos, and piercings.
• Assessed BDD symptoms using the Appearance Anxiety Inventory (AAI) and illness acceptance with the Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS).

Main Results:

• 29.4% of patients had body modifications (20.7% tattoos, 15.9% piercings).
• BDD symptom tendencies were significantly higher in patients with tattoos (26.1%) and piercings (34%).
• Lower illness acceptance correlated with higher BDD symptomatology.

Conclusions:

• Body modifications in dermatology patients are linked to increased BDD risk and reduced illness acceptance.
• Highlights the need for psychological screening in dermatological settings.
• Dermatologists should be trained to identify and manage associated mental health concerns.