The relative impact of psoriasis and obesity on socioeconomic and medical outcomes in psoriasis patients.
BACKGROUND
Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory skin disorder that is associated with obesity. Independently, both psoriasis and obesity likely impose impressive physical and psychosocial burdens on affected patients.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relative impact of body mass index (BMI) on the socioeconomic status, medical co-morbidities, and current and chronic quality of life of psoriasis patients.


METHODS
Overall, 114 subjects were examined and asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire regarding disabilities, relationships, education, as well as medical and economic outcomes. Participants also answered the ten questions used in the Dermatology Life Quality Index modified to ask 'over the last week', 'over the last year' and 'over your lifetime with psoriasis'. Survey responses were compared amongst the three patient groups based on BMI (normal, overweight, obese).


RESULTS
Patients with elevated BMI were more likely to rate their general health lower (P < 0.001), believe that psoriasis caused their weight gain (P = 0.014), experience sleep problems over their lifetime (P = 0.016), hide their psoriasis over their lifetime (P = 0.010), have their self-confidence affected by their psoriasis over their lifetime (P = 0.011) and avoid common activities over their lifetime (P = 0.012).


CONCLUSIONS
There are long-term negative effects of elevated BMI that impose additional burdens on psoriasis patients, including impairments in sleep quality and increased social anxiety.
Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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GE
Kim
Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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E
Seidler
Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.|Clinical Unit for Research Trials and Outcomes in Skin (CURTIS), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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Kimball
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications*; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000150:complications* / Q000191:economics* / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires