What Factors Influence on Dermatology-Related Life Quality of Psoriasis Patients in South Korea?

• Main Authors: So Young Park, Kon Hee Kim
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-03-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: depression; psoriasis; quality of life; stress; uncertainty
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/7/3624
• ISSN: 1661-7827; 1660-4601

This descriptive study aimed to identify factors that can influence the quality of life of psoriasis patients. A total of 118 psoriasis outpatients completed a questionnaire consisting of the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Psoriasis Life Stress Inventory (PLSI), Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale-Community form (MUIS-C), Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale (CES-D), and Self-Reported Severity Score (SRSS). The Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) was calculated. The collected data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, <i>t</i>-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheffé test, Pearson’s correlation analysis, and stepwise multiple regression using SPSS/WIN 26.0. The average score of the DLQI was 14.19 ± 6.83 (range 0–30); the DLQI showed statistically significant differences according to age (F = 4.02, <i>p</i> = 0.021) and smoking type (F = 7.49, <i>p</i> = 0.001). The dermatology-related quality of life was significantly affected by psoriasis-related stress (β = 0.37, <i>p</i> < 0.001), depression (β = 0.35, <i>p</i> < 0.001), and subjective severity (β = 0.19, <i>p</i> = 0.005); these variables explained 60.7% of the variance in the dermatology-related quality of life (F = 61.34, <i>p</i> < 0.001). The results demonstrated that psoriasis-related stress, depression, and perceived severity of psoriasis should be considered when developing nursing interventions to improve patients’ quality of life.