Abstract

EVALUATION OF QUALITY OF LIFE OF PSORIASIS PATIENTS WITHIN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Dimple Dipin*, Dhandapani Uma Maheswaran, Dr. B Jeevan Kumar, Chithambaram Dhandapani

ABSTRACT

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic, complex, inflammatory disease that involves hyper proliferation of the keratinocytes in the epidermis, with an increase in the epidermal cell turnover rate. Objective: To evaluate the quality of life of psoriasis patients. Method: It was a prospective observational study conducted in KMCH Hospital Coimbatore in which a total of 74 patients. We measured the clinical severity using psoriasis area severity index and health-related quality of life using psoriasis disability index (PDI).Statistical analysis was performed using unpaired independent student’s t-test and Pearson’s correlation coefficients. Results: The difference in mean values during first and second visit shows that patient counselling had a great impact on patient’s quality of life. Patients with younger age show worse physical disability scores than those with older age group. There was a significant correlation between the physician-rated severity of psoriasis and the extent of impact of psoriasis on physical disability as measured by the PDI. Conclusion: The present study provides convincing evidence that psoriasis affects the quality of life, and it high- lights the importance of clinical pharmacist to provide patient counselling to improve QoL of patients.

Keywords: Quality of life, Psoriasis.