Personal features and life quality of patients with psoriasis of various duration
Considering a person from the standpoint of the biological and mental unity underlies the psychosomatic approach, which in recent years has taken a strong position in dermatological practice. This is due to the fact that some dermatological diseases (such as neurodermatitis, eczema, angioedema, urticaria, psoriasis) are traditionally considered among the psychosomatic disorders which arise on the basis of mental and somatic factors interaction manifested by mental disorders that reflect a reaction to somatic disease, developing a somatic pathology under the influence of psychogenic factors. The World Health Organization defines psoriasis as "a chronic, non-infectious agonizing disfiguring and disabling disease, a method of cure from which is unknown." Special literature emphasizes the duration, persistence and unpredictability of psoriasis, the severity of its clinical manifestations, cosmetic problems, significant impact on the life quality of patients, their personality. According to a study by clinical, psycho-pathological, experimental psychological, statistical method of 39 patients with psoriasis with different duration of the disease we described the personality characteristics and parameters of their life quality. We have found that the duration of psoriasis specifically affects the personality of patients. Patients with duration of the disease from 1 to 5 years were distinguished by high indices of hypochondria (immersion in experiences about the clinical manifestations of psoriasis, changes in life due to the disease), depression (decreased mood background due to special sensitivity, shyness) and paranoia (prejudice of patients about their appearance, the reluctance of others to communicate). Patients with the duration of the disease from 10 to 13 years statistically significantly differed by the increase in the scale "Depression" (awareness of the psoriasis incurability, the forthcoming hospitalization with exacerbation). In patients with duration of the disease from 1 year to 5 years, there were high scores on the scales of physical and mental well-being. A similar trend was observed in long-term patients, which can be explained by the development of mechanisms of coping behaviour. The obtained data formed the basis for the development of psycho-correctional programs aimed at increasing the adaptive capabilities of patients with psoriasis, forming their right attitude to their condition.