Treatment Tips: Reach Out to Psoriasis Patients

Those who regularly treat psoriasis know that the effects of the condition are more than skin deep, but new research suggests the psychological impact may be greater than generally suspected (Arch Dermatol 146(8):891- 895). An analysis of data for 146,042 patients with mild psoriasis and 3,965 patients with severe psoriasis found that these individuals had increased risk for a diagnosis of depression, anxiety, and suicidality, compared to controls (n=766,950). The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for depression was higher for severe (HR 1.72) than for mild (HR 1.38) psoriasis.

Some patients will require specific interventions—from counseling to medication—to manage the psychological effects of psoriasis. However, there are steps clinicians can take to help all patients feel more comfortable about their condition and more confident.

Asking patients about specific strategies they may use to hide psoriasis, such as wearing long-sleeve shirts demonstrates that you understand how psoriasis affects individuals and that you are in touch with the ways patients actually respond to the disease, says Jerry Bagel, MD. Touch is also important, he says. Dr. Bagel advocates placing one’s hand directly on a psoriasis plaque, reinforcing for the patient the notion that the disease is not contagious and not anything to “fear.”