Suicide risk and psychiatric comorbidity in patients with psoriasis

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Maurizio Pompili, University of Rome; Marco Innamorati, European University of Rome; Sara Trovarelli, University of Rome; Alessandra Narcisi, University of Rome; Samantha Bellini, University of Rome; Diego Orsini, University of Rome; Alberto Forte, University of Rome; Denise Erbuto, University of Rome; Elisabetta Botti, University of Rome; Dorian Lamis, Emory University; Paolo Girardi, University of Rome; Antonio Costanzo, University of Rome
• Language: English
• Date: 2016-09-01
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © The Author(s) 2016.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 Unported
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0300060515593253
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Journal of International Medical Research
• ISSN: 0300-0605
• Volume: 44
• Issue: 1_suppl
• Start Page: 61
• End Page: 66
• Grant/Funding Information: Editorial assistance was provided by Ray Hill on behalf of HPS–Health Publishing and Services Srl and funded by Pfizer Italia.
• Keywords: IMPACT; STIGMATIZATION; Pharmacology & Pharmacy; SKIN-DISEASE; Medicine, Research & Experimental; QUALITY-OF-LIFE; ANXIETY; stress; Science & Technology; depression; IDEATION; Research & Experimental Medicine; psoriasis; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; DEPRESSION; PREVALENCE; health-related quality-of-life; dermatological diseases; STRESS; suicidal ideation; Anxiety
• Research Categories: Sociology, Public and Social Welfare; Health Sciences, Public Health

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the occurrence of stressful life events, psychological comorbidity and suicide risk in patients with psoriasis or other dermatological conditions. Methods: Consecutive adult outpatients with psoriasis or other dermatological conditions completed a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Hamilton scales for depression and anxiety. Results: The study included 157 patients (91 with psoriasis; 66 with other conditions [melanoma; allergy]). Patients with psoriasis were significantly more likely to have experienced major life events in the 12 months before diagnosis, have had a psychiatric diagnosis and to have experienced past suicidal ideation than patients with other dermatological conditions. Conclusions: Patients with psoriasis have an increased risk of psychiatric comorbidities, suicidal ideation, and long-term course of the disease compared with patients who have other dermatological conditions. Psychiatric assessment is highly recommended in patients with psoriasis.