Psoriasis is a chronic condition strongly affecting social stigmatization, comfort, physical disability and psychological distress.  It is important to define the severity of psoriasis, but it is also important to identify psoriasis, that severely affects the quality of life. Psoriasis causes great physical, emotional and social burden.¹

Aim: To compare the DLQI at the time of presentation and follow up the inpatients and outpatients of the tertiary care centre.

Materials and Methods: This study consisted of 60 patients (30 out-patients and 30 in-patients) with psoriasis. In all patients, clinical severity and quality of life were assessed using PASI and DLQI questionnaire respectively. Psychiatric status was assessed for all patients individually with the help of psychiatric (MHC) department using Hamilton scoring systems. The quality of life was assessed in all patients using DLQI questionnaire again, after one week.

Results: On comparison, the DLQI of in-patients was decreased from the mean of 15.5 to 10.63 with a ‘p’ value of 0.005, and in patients attending outpatient department there was no significant improvement with DLQI after one week of follow up. It shows that, hospitalization had improved the quality of life in psoriatic patients due to adequate treatment care, psychiatric intervention (counselling), Physical medicine and rehabilitation (Yoga therapy) and absence of precipitating factors like alcohol, smoking and stress affecting the quality of life during the stay.

Keywords: Psoriasis, PASI, DLQI, Psychiatric morbidity.

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Karpagavalli.R

Post Graduate, Department of Dermatology Venereology and Leprosy,

Rajah Muthiah Medical College & Hospital,

Annamalai University, Chidambaram, India – 608002