Clinical significance and psychological impact of psychocutaneous disorders - A hospital based cross sectional study

Abstract

Objective - To assess the presence of psychiatric symptoms such as depression, anxiety and stress in patient suffering from psychocutaneous disorders.
Methods - This is a cross sectional study conducted in the department of psychiatry of Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (MMIMS&R), Mullana, Ambala, India from April 2023 – April 2024. 120 patients having psychocutaneous disorders were included in this study on the basis of a predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. All patients were assessed for the presence of depression, anxiety and stress by using depression, anxiety and Stress Scale DASS-42. The prevalence of depression, anxiety or stress and their severity was assessed in all the cases. Patients were also assessed for any other comorbid psychiatric condition. Qualitative data was presented with incidence and percentage tables. For statistical purposes p value less than 0.05 was taken as statistically significant.
Results - Amongst the studied cases there was a slight male preponderance with Male : Female (M : F) ratio being 1:0.78. The mean age of male and female patients was found to be 33.08 ± 9.77 and 36.17 ± 10.47 years respectively. Pruritis was the most common skin condition which was seen in 22 cases. The other common conditions were rosacea, acne, vitiligo and eczema and alopecia. Depression was observed in 41 patients, with 46.34% having mild depression, and the rest experiencing moderate to extremely severe levels. Anxiety was noted in 38 cases, with 52.63% mild and the remainder ranging from moderate to extremely severe. Among 73 cases of stress, 56.16% were mild, with the rest varying from moderate to extremely severe. Finally, out of 63 patients with insomnia, 60.32% had mild insomnia, and the others had moderate to extremely severe levels.
Conclusion - Psychiatric symptoms like stress, insomnia, depression, and anxiety are frequent in patients with chronic skin conditions. Therefore, a close collaboration between dermatologists and psychiatrists is vital in providing comprehensive care in cases of psychocutaneous disorders.