Background: Psoriasis is a multifactorial inflammatory disease prevalent in dermatology. We aimed to understand the
perceptions of patients living with psoriasis in relation to their quality of life and to identify aspects to improve it.
Methods: This is qualitative research carried out in a dermatology outpatient clinic of the São Paulo State University
(UNESP) medical school, Botucatu, Brazil, with 81 psoriasis patients. The interviews were transcribed and analysed using
the Discourse of the Collective Subject method (DCS).
Results: Quality of life was linked to well-being, happiness, leisure, good food and financial stability. However, disease
symptoms, social and clothing restrictions, impairment of professional activities and the absence of a cure, negatively
influenced their perceptions. Suggestions for improvements included an increase of public awareness, stress reduction,
disease acceptance and multidisciplinary care.
Conclusion: The meanings of quality of life revealed by the participants are subjective, multidimensional, linked to
moments experienced by them and to the health-disease process. Public health policies promoting reduction in social
stigma and stress as well as multidisciplinary approaches towards care can contribute to improvements of QoL in
psoriasi
