Psoriasis and Emotional Dysregulation: A Multicenter Analysis of Psychodermatology Outcomes

Tonia Samela; Gaia Moretta; Alessia Provini; Gianluca Pagnanelli; Claudio Bonifati; Dario Graceffa; Viviana Lora; Diego Orsini; Arianna Zangrilli; Domenico Giordano; Annunziata Dattola; Antonio Giovanni  Richetta; Nicoletta  Bernardini; Giacomo  Caldarola; Eleonora De Luca; Ciniza Masini; Mauro Bavetta; Paola Tribuzi; Vincenzo  Panasiti; Damiano Abeni

doi:10.5826/dpc.1502a4644

Psoriasis and Emotional Dysregulation: A Multicenter Analysis of Psychodermatology Outcomes

Authors

Tonia Samela Clinical Psychology Unit, Epidemiology Unit, IDI-IRCCS, Rome, Italy https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5588-5999
Gaia Moretta Dermatology Unit, IDI-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Alessia Provini Dermatology Department, ASL Roma2, Rome, Italy
Gianluca Pagnanelli Dermatology Unit, IDI-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Claudio Bonifati San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Dario Graceffa San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Viviana Lora San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Diego Orsini San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Arianna Zangrilli Department of Dermatology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
Domenico Giordano NESMOS Department, Dermatology Unit, Sant'Andrea Hospital, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy
Annunziata Dattola Unit of Dermatology, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties Sapienza, University of Rome, Rome, Italy
Antonio Giovanni Richetta Unit of Dermatology, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties Sapienza, University of Rome, Rome, Italy
Nicoletta Bernardini Dermatology Unit "Daniele Innocenzi," ASL Latina, Department of Medical-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
Giacomo Caldarola Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, UOC di Dermatologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Eleonora De Luca Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, UOC di Dermatologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Ciniza Masini UOC Dermatologia, Ospedale San Sebastiano, Frascati, Italy
Mauro Bavetta UOC Dermatologia, Ospedale San Sebastiano, Frascati, Italy
Paola Tribuzi UOC Dermatologia, Ospedale Belcolle, Viterbo, Italy
Vincenzo Panasiti Department of Medicine and Surgery, Operative Research Unit of Dermatology, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Roma, Italy
Damiano Abeni Clinical Epidemiology Unit, IDI-IRCCS, Rome, Italy

Keywords:

psycho-dermatology, psoriasis, emotional dysregulation, Multicenter Study, mental health

Abstract

Introduction: Psychological symptoms associated with psoriasis include depression, anxiety, and social phobia, often exacerbated by high rates of alexithymia. Treatment decisions should consider not only clinical severity but also patient characteristics and quality of life. However, the psychosocial burden of psoriasis may not always align with clinical severity.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess emotional regulation difficulties in outpatients with psoriasis, comparing these difficulties to those of the general population and examining associations with sociodemographic factors, comorbidities, and treatment options.

Methods: A cross-sectional, multicenter study enrolled 107 consecutive patients with psoriasis from dermatological centers in Lazio, Italy. For every patient the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI), Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA), and Difficulties in Emotional Regulation scale (DERS) were recorded.

Results: Analysis revealed that patients with psoriasis reported significantly higher emotional regulation difficulties compared to the general Italian population, even those with mild disease. A significant association was found between psoriasis severity and emotional regulation difficulties, particularly in patients with higher PASI scores. Biological treatments were associated with lower levels of emotional regulation difficulties.

Conclusions: This study corroborates the existing literature on the association between psoriasis severity and emotional regulation difficulties. However, it diverges from prior findings regarding the association between body mass index (BMI) and emotional dysregulation. Assessing emotional regulation difficulties may aid clinicians in identifying vulnerable patients and optimizing treatment decisions to improve overall quality of life and treatment adherence. Further research is needed to validate these findings and to explore longitudinal associations between emotional regulation and psoriasis outcomes.

Author Biography

Domenico Giordano, NESMOS Department, Dermatology Unit, Sant'Andrea Hospital, University of Rome Sapienza, Rome, Italy

none

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