QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATEINTS WITH PSORIASIS IN OSMANABAD REGION OF INDIA: A SINGLE CENTRE STUDY

The prevalence of psoriasis has a deep negative impact on Quality of life (QoL) daily. It has been classified under psychophysiological disorders. The prime objective of the present study is to evaluate and assess the Quality of Life (QoL) of psoriasis patients in Osmanabad region of India. A retrospective analyzing study was carried out on 52 psoriatic patients attending outpatient and inpatient departments of the Government Ayurvedic College and Hospital, Osmanabad, Maharashtra state, India. The study was carried out between October 2010 to March 2011. A total of 52 patients suffering from psoriasis who had completed an assessment of disease severity and the dermatology life quality index (DLQI) questionnaire were analyzed. Of these patients, 75% were men. The mean score on the DLQI was 8.28, and almost all patients reported a moderate to extremely large impact on their quality of life (DLQI >7). A higher psoriasis area severity index (PASI), younger age, and initial lesions on the trunk, hands-legs, and scalp significantly negatively impacted patients quality of life. Psoriasis is a serious condition and is associated with a larger extent with significant lower QoL, which in turn impairing the life of psoriatic patients as compared to other healthy individuals. Thus, an ideal holistic approach to be adopted by the dermatologist and other health professionals, including measures like pharmacotherapy and psychotherapeutics which are extremely beneficial in the management of psoriasis, hence, improving the quality of life of psoriasis patients.