Psychopathology in acne, psoriasis, and eczema patients: Pre- and post-treatment

This study aimed to examine whether the visibility of dermatological conditions differed with distinct trajectories of psychopathological symptoms before and after dermatological treatment.

In total, 162 adults aged 18-35 years participated in the study. A prospective, controlled design was employed, comparing two dermatological patient groups (Group A, n = 54: visible facial acne, and Group B, n = 54: non-visible psoriasis/eczema) with a healthy control group (Group C, n = 54) across two assessment points, using a battery of questionnaires.

While both dermatological patient groups exhibited elevated psychopathology compared to controls at both time points, patients with visible acne demonstrated a distinct post-treatment exacerbation of specific psychopathological dimensions (Somatization, OCD, Anxiety, and Paranoid Ideation).

Findings suggest that dermatological treatment alone may be insufficient to alleviate psychological distress, particularly when the skin condition is visibly located. Therefore, a combination of dermatological and psychological treatments is recommended.