Psoriasisschulung für erwachsene Patienten nach den Regeln der Arbeitsgemeinschaft Dermatologische Prävention

Effect of an Educational and Psychological Intervention on Knowledge and Quality of Life among Patients with Psoriasis

Background:

Psoriasis is one of the most common skin disorders with a prevalence rate of 0.1%–3%. Chronic nature, frequent relapses, absence of permanent cure, and the cosmetic disfigurement of psoriasis have a negative impact on quality of life (QoL) by causing psychological stress. Patients with psoriasis often have unambiguous ideas about the causes, controllability, consequences, and expected time-course of their disease.

Aim:

The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of a video-assisted teaching program regarding psoriasis on the level of knowledge and relaxation therapy on QoL among patients with psoriasis.

Materials and Methods:

Experimental design was adapted. One hundred and four participants diagnosed with psoriasis were randomly allocated either to an experimental or to a control group. Fifty-two participants were included in each group by simple random sampling. A video-assisted teaching program on psoriasis and relaxation exercises was taught to the participants over a period of 3 months. The tools used were: Psoriasis Knowledge Assessment Questionnaire, modified psoriasis disability index, and modified psoriasis life stress inventory.

Results:

In the experimental group, the knowledge score was increased significantly from 9 ± 2.2 at baseline to 23.6 ± 1.5 after the intervention. The disability score was decreased from 15.6 to 9.9 and the stress score related to the illness was decreased from 22.8 to 16.9 after the intervention.

Conclusion:

Educational intervention about disease process and relaxation exercises was effective in improving the knowledge and QoL of patients with psoriasis.

Psychosoziale Belastungen bei Psoriasis vulgaris

BACKGROUND

The successful treatment of patients with chronic plaque psoriasis depends not only on the method of therapy but also on psychosocial factors.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A pilot study was performed on 22 patients with chronic plaque psoriasis. The psychosocial stress, psychiatric features and their changes were assessed over a 3-week inpatient rehabilitation stay in a specialty clinic. The severity of the psoriasis, the subjective degree of suffering and the psychometric variables related to psychosomatic symptoms were assessed before and at the end of the treatment. After the hospitalization, the severity of disease and anger were both significantly decreased, along with an increased interest in social interactions.

CONCLUSION

In psoriasis patients, one can distinguish between different psychosocial factors, some of which are more likely to change. Stable attributes such as personality style can impact on compliance as well as on coping behaviors, thereby influencing treatment success. Our study shows that even within a rather short inpatient treatment period of 3 weeks not only the disease severity but also negative psychosocial stressors can be improved.

Interdisziplinäre Psoriasisschulung in Blockform für erwachsene Patienten

BACKGROUND

The aim of our pilot study was to evaluate effects of an interdisciplinary training program for adult psoriasis patients after six months follow-up.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Eleven patients with psoriasis participated in an interdisciplinary training program over a weekend taught by dermatologists, psychologists/psychiatrists, and dieticians. Six months follow-up was performed with a questionnaire.

RESULTS

The knowledge acquired improved the cooperation with the treating dermatologist (7 of 11), the patients' ability to cope with their disease (11 of 11), and their ability to improving their health status (8 of 11). Their general well-being was increased (9 of 11) and they could better care for their skin disease because they better understood the need for care (9 of 11), and could better judge the best approach for various levels of disease activity (8 of 11).

CONCLUSION

These data show early benefits and suggest such a longer lasting effect of this type of psoriasis training and prevention program. Further studies with larger samples and control parameters will have to examine if these results can be confirmed.