title: Psoriasis lesions are associated with specific types of emotions. Emotional profile in psoriasis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  At present there is still controversy about the relationship between emotional stress and psoriasis lesions. Most of the published literature does not include the broad spectrum of emotional response.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between skin lesions and emotional state in a large sample of patients with psoriasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  823 psoriasis patients were recruited (mean age 45.9 years, 55.7% female) and answered two online questionnaires: lesion severity and current extension were evaluated using a self-administered psoriasis severity index (SAPASI); emotional state was assessed using the positive and negative affect schedule (PANAS). Second order factors were calculated and correlated with the SAPASI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found positive associations between the extent and severity of skin lesions and the negative and submissive emotions, a negative correlation with dominance emotions and no association with positive emotions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data supports the relationship between emotions and skin lesions. It also allows for discrimination of the associations between psoriasis lesions and the specific type of emotions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Personality, Assessment and Psychological Treatment, University of Murcia, Av. Juan Carlos I, 6, 7°H, 30008, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: Ramón
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Martín-Brufau
authors.affiliation: Mayo Clinic Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center, Rochester, MN, United States of America.
authors.forename: Santiago
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Romero-Brufau
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Department, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañon. Clinica Ruber & Clinica Dermatologica Internacional, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martín-Gorgojo
authors.affiliation: Service of Dermatology, General Hospital Reina Sofía, Murcia, Spain, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University of Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brufau Redondo
authors.affiliation: Department of Personality, Assessment and Psychological Treatment, University of Murcia, Av. Juan Carlos I, 6, 7°H, 30008, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Corbalan
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Psychology, Buenos Aires University.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ulnik
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000523:psychology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: PANAS; PASI; Self-administered PASI; emotions; psoriasis; psychodermatology