Perspective on Living With a Skin Condition and its Psychological Impact: A Survey

Quality of life of dermatology outpatients and its associated factors in Halibet National Referral Hospital in Asmara, Eritrea

Skin diseases are prevalent globally and can have detrimental effects on the individual's health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The treatment of dermatological patients typically focuses on clinical signs and symptoms and a subjective view of the impact of the disease on the patient's life. Assessing quality of life can help provide patients with better service, by acknowledging their real needs and interfering with treatment decisions. The aim of the study was therefore to assess quality of life of dermatology outpatients and its associated factors. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in the dermatology clinic of Halibet National Referral Hospital in Asmara, Eritrea. HRQoL data were collected between May 6 and August 18, 2022 using a validated standard tool (Skindex-29). Descriptive statistics, logistic regression and paired t-test were employed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (Version-26.0). A total of 375 dermatology clinic out-patients with a median age of 29 (Interquartile range: 25) were included in the study. The most commonly seen skin diseases were eczema, seborrhoeic dermatitis and tinea pedis. Emotion, symptom, and functioning domains of HRQoL were severely impaired in 75.7%, 50.4% and 57.6% of all dermatology outpatients, respectively. More than half of the respondents (57.9%) had a severely impaired overall HRQoL. In the overall HRQoL, being a rural resident [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 1.98, 95% CI 1.18, 3.33] and presence of chronic illness (AOR 2.16, 95% CI 1.22, 3.82) were significantly associated with severely impaired overall quality of life. A significantly higher mean score (p < 0.001) was observed in emotion [Mean (M) = 55.60, Standard Deviation (SD) = 21.0] as compared to functioning (M = 46.89, SD = 21.2). On the other hand, significantly higher mean score (p < 0.001) was observed on symptom (M = 54.08, SD = 20.5) as compared to functioning (M = 46.89, SD = 21.2). Skin diseases severely affected the emotion, functioning, and symptom domains of health-related quality of life. This highlights the importance of providing physical and psychosocial support to patients with dermatologic problems.

Psychiatric Consequences of Skin Conditions: Multiple Case Study Analysis with Literature Review

This review of current literature demonstrates the psychological implications of skin conditions. Skin conditions of varying severity can impact the quality of patients' lives and have psychiatric consequences. This impact provides a need for healthcare providers to consider the psychological implications of one's skin conditions and their effect on quality of life. The psychological challenges that arise from varying skin conditions show the potential need for both dermatological and psychiatric interventions. The following literature review details the psychiatric consequences of skin conditions under various conditions. It first looks at literature highlighting the psychiatric consequences experienced through various age ranges, from adults to adolescents and children. The paper then explores multiple skin conditions and their psychological effect before highlighting some of the interactions that stress has on the skin that could further exacerbate one's condition. Finally, it examines how patients characterize their experience with their skin condition and goes into some clinical case studies of patients with psychological implications as a result of their skin disorder. The paper also highlights the magnitude of dermatologic patients experiencing psychological conditions in conjunction with their skin conditions.