Perception and assessment of psoriasis in the general population of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Psoriasis in Northern Saudi Arabia: Clinical features and implications for quality of life

Introduction:

Psoriasis is a chronic non-contagious inflammatory skin disorder, which might impair patient’s social relationships, limit leisure activities, and lower self-esteem. Psoriasis patients might be stigmatized leading to psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression.

Objectives:

This study aimed to outline the clinical features of psoriasis and its effects on quality of life, and the feeling of stigmatization among psoriasis patients.

Methods:

This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted on 109 adult psoriasis patients in Arar City, Saudi Arabia. The study collected data on socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of psoriasis patients, self-reported psoriasis severity using the self-assessment Simplified Psoriasis Index (sa-SPI-s), patients’ quality of life using the dermatological life quality index (DLQI), and the feeling of stigmatization using the six-items stigmatization scale.

Results:

The mean age of psoriasis onset in studied patients was 20 (±7.65) years, females represented 58.72%, and 22% were unemployed. Joint and nail affection were reported in 46.79% and 51.38%, respectively. One third of patients had positive family history of psoriasis. Seasonal variation, life stressors, smoking and skin injuries were frequent provocative factors for psoriasis lesions. The average sa-SPI-s was 10.08 (±10.41), which was correlated with patients’ ages, disease duration, obesity, and pruritis. The average DLQI and six-items stigmatization scale for psoriasis patients were 8.95 (±5.77) and 7.61 (±4.5), respectively that were correlated with sa-SPI-s.

Conclusion:

The clinical manifestations and chronicity of psoriasis impaired patients’ quality of life and accompanied with social stigma due to skin disfigurement. These effects need to be addressed for better care of patients.

Epidemiology and Cutaneous Manifestations of Psoriasis in Saudi Arabia: A Narrative Review

Background

Psoriasis is an inflammatory immune-mediated illness with an unknown cause. It is a painful, disfiguring, and disabling condition without a complete cure and has enormous negative effects on patients’ quality of life. Ethnicity, genetics, and environmental variables all have a role in determining the disease’s prevalence. Currently, the large-scale epidemiological studies on cutaneous manifestations of psoriasis in Saudi Arabia are limited.

Aim

To evaluate the prevalence of different forms of psoriasis and cutaneous manifestations, pattern, and associated clinical presentation of psoriasis in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

Methodology

A thorough search of studies on cutaneous manifestations of psoriasis in KSA was conducted from July first 2021 to September 30 2021 using the key phrases “psoriasis,” “cutaneous manifestations of psoriasis in KSA,” “psoriasis clinical presentation in Saudi Arabia,” and “psoriasis skin lesions in Saudi Arabia” at four medical search stations PubMed, Scopus, Google, and Research Gate.

Results

Psoriasis was found to be present in up to 5.33% of the population. More men than women were affected and the age of onset was under 30 years. It was more prevalent in the northern region of KSA. A family history was confirmed in many cases. Plaque psoriasis was the most prevalent kind of psoriasis, followed by guttate psoriasis. Other types of psoriasis, such as pustular psoriasis, erythrodermic psoriasis, follicular psoriasis, inverse psoriasis, and congenital psoriasis, were also found in Saudi patients. There was no evidence of life-threatening psoriasis among Saudis.

Conclusion

The major findings of this narrative review revealed plaque-type psoriasis was the most frequent among Saudis followed by guttate psoriasis. Further epidemiological research is needed to better understand the type of cutaneous psoriasis, its impact on the quality of life, and the current therapeutic options which would help advance the national health policy.