Body dysmorphia in common skin diseases: Results of an observational, cross-sectional multi-centre study among dermatological out-patients in 17 European countries

Background Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a common psychiatric disorder associated with high costs for healthcare systems as patients may repeatedly ask for different, often not effective interventions. BDD symptoms are more prevalent in patients with dermatological conditions than the general population, but there are no large sample studies comparing the prevalence of BDD symptoms between patients with dermatological conditions and healthy skin controls. Objectives To compare the prevalence of BDD symptoms between patients with different dermatological conditions and healthy skin controls and to describe sociodemographic, physical and psychological factors associated with BDD symptoms to identify patients who may have a particularly high chance of having this condition. Methods This observational cross-sectional, comparative multi-centre study included 8295 participants: 5487 consecutive patients with different skin diseases (56% female) recruited among dermatological out-patients at 22 clinics in 17 European countries and 2808 healthy skin controls (66% female). All patients were examined by a dermatologist. BDD symptoms were assessed by the Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire (DCQ). Sociodemographic data, information on psychological factors and physical conditions were collected. Each patient was given a dermatological diagnosis according to ICD-10 by a dermatologist. Results The participation rate of invited dermatological patients was 82.4% on average across all centres. BDD symptoms were five times more prevalent in patients with dermatological conditions than in healthy skin controls (10.5% vs. 2.1%). Patients with hyperhidrosis, alopecia and vitiligo had a more than eleven-fold increased chance (adjusted Odds Ratio (OR) > 11) of having BDD symptoms compared to healthy skin controls, and patients with atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, hidradenitis suppurativa, prurigo and bullous diseases had a more than six-fold increased chance (adjusted OR > 6) of having BDD symptoms. Using a logistic regression model, BDD symptoms were significantly related to lower age, female sex, higher psychological stress and feelings of stigmatisation. Conclusions This study reveals that clinical BDD symptoms are significantly associated with common dermatological diseases. As such symptoms are associated with higher levels of psychological distress and multiple unhelpful consultations, general practitioners and dermatologists should consider BDD and refer patients when identified to an appropriate service for BDD screening and management

Itch-Related Avoidance and Attentional Biases in Patients with Psoriasis?

This is a publication package containing materials and datasets (i⁠.e⁠., reaction time, demographic, and questionnaire data) used in the study titled "Itch-Related Avoidance and Attentional Biases in Patients with Psoriasis?" published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology⁠

Quality of Life in Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma Patients Receiving Mogamulizumab: Important Factors to Consider

Background: Erythrodermic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (E-CTCL) is associated with a poor prognosis and severe symptoms. Objective: To establish insights into the quality of life (QoL), expectations, and treatment satisfaction of E-CTCL patients receiving mogamulizumab. Methods: Outcomes of this prospective cohort study conducted between September 2020 and August 2021 at the Leiden University Medical Center included the dermatology-specific QoL (Skindex-29), health-related QoL (RAND-12), degree of itch, pain, and fatigue (Visual Analogue Scale), patient’s expectations, and treatment satisfaction (Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8 (CSQ-8)), measured at baseline and after six months. Results: 13 patients with E-CTCL were included. Most patients anticipated a positive treatment effect on symptoms. Five patients (46%) improved one or more clinical categories regarding the symptoms domain, six (55%) regarding emotions, four (36%) regarding functioning, and four (36%) regarding the overall Skindex-29 score compared to baseline. The Mental Component Score clinically improved from 31 (IQR 29–51) at baseline to 38 (IQR 25–51). The median VAS itch improved significantly from baseline (8 (IQR 7–10) vs. 3 (IQR 1–8), p = 0.024). Most patients (n = 7) were “very satisfied” with their treatment. Limitations: There was a limited number of patients due to the rarity of the disease. Conclusion: In general, mogamulizumab has a favorable effect on biochemical- and dermatology-specific QoL and physical functioning in some patients, with high treatment satisfaction. Itch especially improved over time in most patients. The treatment satisfaction was generally high. Mogamulizumab seems to be an effective treatment that improves the QoL in patients with E-CTCL

Itch-Related Avoidance and Attentional Biases in Patients with Psoriasis?

Applied Ergonomics and Desig

Tailored Therapist-guided Internet-based Cognitive-behavioural Treatment for Psoriasis and Rheumatoid Arthritis: Two Case Reports

Chronic somatic conditions, such as psoriasis, arthritis psoriatica and rheumatoid arthritis, have a large impact on patients’ lives. Tailored therapist-guided internet-based cognitive-behavioural therapy (ICBT) has been shown to be effective in improving physical and psychological well-being in these patients. Two cases are presented here, in order to provide an in-depth illustration of the course and content of this novel treatment and to investigate the therapeutic alliance in an online treatment. After face-to-face intakes, both patients received therapist-guided ICBT tailored to their specific problems and treatment goals. The treatment resulted in improved physical and psychological well-being and these clinically significant improvements were maintained at 6-month follow-up. In addition, the therapeutic relationship was evaluated positively by both patients and increased further during treatment, indicating an adequate therapeutic working alliance in this online treatment. These case reports show that tailored ICBT may contribute to improved care for patients with chronic somatic conditions

Evaluation of Quality of Life and Treatment Satisfaction in Newly Diagnosed Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma Patients

Background: Little is known about the impact of MF on quality of life (QoL) in newly diagnosed patients. Objectives: To describe the impact of the MF diagnosis on QoL, patient expectations, and treatment satisfaction over the first 6 months after diagnosis. Methods: Outcomes of this prospective cohort study of newly diagnosed MF patients conducted between 2020 and 2022 at the Leiden University Medical Center included the Skindex-29, RAND-12 Health Survey, degree of itch, pain, and fatigue (Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)), patient expectations, and Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8 (CSQ-8), measured at baseline and after six months. Results: A total of 28 patients with MF were included. At baseline, 66% (n = 18) “strongly-totally” expected positive effects of the treatment. At the time of diagnosis, 28% of the patients (n = 8) were moderately to severely affected. There was no statistical change in the Skindex-29 score sum score (20 [10–34] vs. 20 [9–36]; p = 0.81) or in the other three subdomains, the RAND-12 scores, and the VAS itch, pain, and fatigue over time. Treatment satisfaction was high overall. Conclusion: Despite that the newly diagnosed MF patients anticipate a positive treatment effect, few improvements in QoL and symptom reduction were found. These data can be used for adequate expectation management and provide a rationale for further evaluation of treatment regimens in these patients

Guided Internet-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Patients with Chronic Pain: A Meta-analytic Review

The dataset contains documents concerning a meta-analysis on internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy in patients with chronic pain

What patients think about E-health: patients' perspective on internet-based cognitive behavioral treatment for patients with rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis

Item does not contain fulltextIn the past decade, the use of internet-based cognitive behavioral treatments (internet-based CBT) for a wide range of patients has grown intensively. Incorporating the patients' opinions and perspective into new health care innovations might improve the quality and applicability of these innovations, as high dropout rates and low attrition are the often-reported concerns in E-health research. Most studies to date have examined patient perspectives on specific internet-based interventions that patients had participated in, and not the views of the general public. The current paper explores the perspective of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis on internet-based CBT for these patient groups. In total, 100 patients (55 % male) participated in a semi-structured telephone interview about internet-based CBT, including questions about possible advantages and disadvantages and the readiness to participate in this kind of treatment. Most patients (78 %) were prepared to participate in internet-based CBT. Patients endorsed the advantages (57 %) more often than the disadvantages (34 %). The ease of internet-based CBT and the time saved were especially appealing to patients. Main disadvantages according to patients are that not all patients will be reached due to computer illiteracy and the lack of face-to-face interaction with the therapist. The results suggest that, from the patients' perspective, internet-based CBT is a promising health care development. Further research into aspects such as therapist interaction and enhancing computer literacy might contribute to an effective way of E-health care delivery in the future