Kvaliteta života i psihijatrijski komorbiditet u dermatoveneroloških bolesnika

Skin diseases are mostly chronic and lifelong with recurrences. The special thing about skin diseases is their psychosocial burden. Pruritus and in fewer instances pain are common physical symptoms of skin diseases. All of these facts influence patient's life, social network and psychological status. Objectives: This study assessed different dimensions of quality of life and psychiatric comorbidities: depression and anxiety were evaluated among patients with dermtovenereological diseases. Methods: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University Center Hospital „Sestre milosrdnice“, in Zagreb, where the study was conducted. Two hundred and ninety female and male patients suffering from different dermatoses and venereological diseases participated in the study. All participants were treated in an inpatient and outpatient treatment at the Department of Dermatovenereology. Participants were divided into three groups. The first group of patients were those with symptomatic dermatoses like psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and venous ulcer. The second group were asymptomatic dermatoses like vitiligo, alopecia and acne. The third group involved venereological patients with diagnoses of anogenital warts, genital Herpes simplex infection and Balanopostitis. Consenting participants completed the following standardized psychological questionnaires: Dermatology Specific Quality of Life Index, Beck's Index of Depression and State and Trait Anxiety Inventory. Results: Participants with symptomatic skin diseases had the highest influence of the disease on their quality of life. There was a statistically significant difference between different dimensions of quality of life, except for the psychological dimension. Depression and anxiety symptoms were mild but 4,1 % of the participants had high depression scores and 13-15 % had very high anxiety scores. Different dimensions of quality of life were in correlation with the intensity of the disease, with the exception of the psychological dimension. Patients with high intensity of the skin lesions were more depressed, but patients with always exposed lesions were more anxious as a state and trait. Conclusion: Patients with pruritic and painful dermatoses have the highest influence of skin disease on their quality of life. The Psycholgical aspect of quality of life is probably mostly affected by the patient's personality traits, and not by a skin or venereological disease in itself. Localisation and intensity of the dermatovenereological disease influence symptoms of depression and anxiety

STUDY ON THE IMPACT OF PSORIASIS ON QUALITY OF LIFE: PSYCHOLOGICAL, SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic and stigmatising disease with significant and hard to meet clinical needs in patient management. Psoriasis is a relatively common disease, affecting up to 2% of the population. The impact of psoriasis on quality of life is significant given its chronicity and visibility. Psychological stress is a well-established systemic triggering factor in psoriasis. It has been associated with initial presentation of the disease as well as exacerbations of pre-existing psoriasis. The purpose of this study is to assess the psychological, social and financial implications of psoriasis. Subjects and methods: 51 patients participated in this study. After dermatological examination and determination of Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score, patients were referred to a psychological consult. Assessment was done through questionnaires concerning quality of life, depression, anxiety, illness perception, financial domain and personal data. Results: Results of our study indicate that psoriasis has a strong impact on patients’ life. It influences working habits, poses a significant financial burden, but most of all, significantly impairs their quality of life and psychological status. Conclusion: Psoriasis poses a substantial threat to several dimensions in patient’s quality of life. Patients feel that the current treatment, although often effective, does not provide a satisfactory long-term solution. Thus, long-term psychologic support for patients with psoriasis is desirable

Knowledge and Attitudes towards Sun Protection in Croatia

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer; the World Health Organization estimates that more than 2 million cases of skin cancer are being diagnosed each year worldwide. Excessive sun exposure and ultraviolet (UV) radiation are the major avoidable risk factors for skin cancer, including melanoma. Sun protection can be achieved through behavioral modification, social changes and environmental changes: regular use of sunscreen, wearing hats and protective clothes, staying in the shade, creating shade by planting trees or constructing canopies, practicing work and sport activities during the time of the day when the sun is not the strongest and many others. The aim of this paper was to investigate the knowledge and attitudes about sun protection and sun behavior patterns in Croatia, as well as the perception of melanoma among general population. Our results indicate relatively good sun behavior patterns among our participants and their mostly correct perception of melanoma