Subjective Health Complaints in Individuals with Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis: Associations with the Severity of the Skin Condition and Illness Perceptions - A Cross-Sectional Study.
High comorbidity has been reported among persons with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), but the occurrence of subjective health complaints (SHCs) in these patient groups is poorly understood. The study aimed to describe the prevalence of SHCs among individuals with psoriasis and PsA in Norway, and investigate whether the severity of their skin condition and their illness perceptions were associated with the number and severity of health complaints.



Participants were recruited through the Psoriasis and Eczema Association of Norway (PEF) (n = 942). The participants answered a self-administered questionnaire covering subjective health complaints, the severity of their skin condition, and their illness perceptions measured with the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ-R).



The prevalence and severity of SHCs were high. Participants with PsA reported more complaints and higher severity of complaints compared with participants with psoriasis. In both groups, the severity of the skin condition was associated with the number and severity of SHCs. Cognitive illness perceptions (consequences) and emotional illness perceptions (emotional affect) were associated with SHCs in participants with psoriasis, whereas only cognitive illness perceptions (consequences and identity) were associated with SHCs in participants with PsA.



The high prevalence and severity of SHCs among individuals with psoriasis and PsA were associated with the severity of the skin condition and illness perceptions. Somatic and cognitive sensitizations are proposed as possible mechanisms. The findings suggest that holistic approaches are essential when managing these patient groups in health care institutions and clinical practice.
Department of Public Health Science, Faculty of Landscape and Society, Norwegian University of Life Science, PO Box 5003, NO-1432, Ås, Norway. emma.charlott.andersson.nordbo@nmbu.no.
Emma Charlott Andersson
ECA
Nordbø
Department of Public Health Science, Faculty of Landscape and Society, Norwegian University of Life Science, PO Box 5003, NO-1432, Ås, Norway.
Geir
G
Aamodt
Department of Public Health Science, Faculty of Landscape and Society, Norwegian University of Life Science, PO Box 5003, NO-1432, Ås, Norway.|Faculty of Health and Social Work Studies, Østfold University College, Fredrikstad, Norway.
Camilla Martha
CM
Ihlebæk
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015535:Arthritis, Psoriatic / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D010465:Perception; D015995:Prevalence; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Illness perceptions; Psoriasis; Psoriatic arthritis; Sensitization; Subjective health complaints