Assessment of Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Psoriasis in Comparison With Normal Subjects in Shiraz, Iran

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease, which decreases the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of the affected patients. There are various determinants related to the patientsʹ HRQOL. Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the HRQOL of a group of Iranian psoriatic patients in comparison with healthy adults. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Shiraz, Iran. Ninety- six psoriatic patients and a control group of 200 healthy subjects were participated in the study. SF-36 questionnaire was used for the data collection. HRQOL was analyzes according to some selected variables including gender, age, education level, duration of the disease, and also in comparison with the control group. Results: Ninety six patients with psoriasis (mean SD age of 35.72 9.95) included 41 males and 55 ty females. The control group had statistically significant (P-Value < 0.001) higher scores in all 8 scales of HRQOL. Physical and emotional role limitation (RP and RP) scales were significantly different in patient group based on the age. Scores forall the 8 scales and 2 summary measures of mental and physical health increased with increasing educational level. Conclusions: The negative impact of psoriasis on various aspects of patientsʹ QOL is an undeniable fact. The results of the present study indicate the necessity of appropriate therapeutic, social and psychological interventions in psoriasis patients in order to help them have better life quality.