Psoriasis has an influence on many spheres of patient's life. It influences the mental image the patients have of themselves, indirectly shapes their personality traits as well as it defines the quality of their lives.
Various factors may contribute to the lower quality of life of patients with psoriasis. The chronic nature of the disease and the lack of control over unexpected outbreaks of the symptoms are among the most bothersome aspects of psoriasis.
Numerous studies have shown that psoriatic patients experience more anxiety and depression symptoms in comparison to general population. Thus psoriasis affects patients’ social life and their daily activities.
Treatment of psoriasis, as it may be associated with risk for adverse effects, is also an important component of the quality of life of psoriasis patients. Disease-specific measures may be sensitive enough to detect and quantify small changes that are important to clinicians and patients.
In order to achieve treatment success, it is important to improve patients’ compliance and it is in the hand of the dermatologists who should develop greater insight into the lives of psoriasis patients as psoriasis does not just affect the quality of life of patients alone but it also affect the interpersonal relationships and may also give rise to issues related to the practical care of the patients.