Publications

Poster presented at the DKVF Conference, Potsdam, Germany 

ePoster presented at 31st European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress

According to the definition of the World Health Organization, health is not only understood as the absence of disease, but also as the restoration of full physical, mental and social well-being. Therefore, in the management of psoriatic disease, well-being should be included as an important endpoint. So far, primarily burden-focused patient-reported outcome instruments such as the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) are used in practice and research, many showing marked limitations. Thus, the aim of this study was to test the psychometric properties of the generic WHO-5 questionnaire for the assessment of well-being in people with psoriasis.

Hautarzt. 2022 Apr 28.

Demografische Veränderungen bewirken einen steilen Anstieg der Anzahl der über 65-Jährigen. Damit verbunden ist die Zunahme der Anzahl pflegebedürftiger, multimorbid Erkrankter. National wie auch international gibt es keine Informationen insbesondere zur Versorgung von Psoriasiserkrankten im Setting Pflegeheim und zur Frage, wie diese durch den Eintritt in ein Pflegeheim beeinflusst wird.

ePoster presented at 31st European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress

J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2022 Jan;36(1):e70-e72

The aim of this study was the development and validation of a composite measuring instrument for the assessment of the extent (surface area affected) and severity of xerosis in clinical practice and research.

This study aimed to examine the health-related quality of life (HrQoL), coping, height-related beliefs, and social support of children/adolescents with short stature, the sociodemographic, clinical, and psychosocial variables associated with HrQoL, and the moderating role of sociodemographic and clinical variables on the associations between psychosocial variables and HrQoL.

Objectives While stress plays a paramount role on the onset/exacerbation of psoriasis, via overactivation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and increased release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, cutaneous inflammatory response induces, in turn, anxiety/depression symptoms, via body disfigurement and stigmatisation. The intensity of pruritus and anogenital involvement are additional risk factors for psychological comorbidity.Aims were to (1) examine the effects of intensity of pruritus and anogenital psoriasis on disease burden and psychological comorbidity and (2) identify the variables associated with the presence of clinically significant depression, anxiety, and dysmorphic concerns.

Design Cross-sectional study.

Setting Conducted at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE).

Participants 107 patients with psoriasis (mean age = 46.3, SD = 14.6 years; 53.3% male): 64 with none/mild pruritus; 43 with moderate/severe pruritus; 31 with anogenital psoriasis; 76 not affected in the anogenital area.

Primary/secondary outcomes measures Disease severity was assessed with Psoriasis Area and Severity Index and intensity of pruritus was rated by patients. Patient-reported outcomes included the Dermatology Life Quality Index, ItchyQoL, Patient Benefit Index, Perceived Stigmatisation Questionnaire, and Relationship and Sexuality Scale. Psychological morbidity was assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire, Generalised Anxiety Disorder, and Dysmorphic Concern Questionnaire.

Results Patients with moderate/severe pruritus reported more quality of life impairments, depression, anxiety and dysmorphic concerns, and less treatment benefits than those with none/mild pruritus. Moderate/severe pruritus had a deleterious effect on depression and stigmatisation for patients without anogenital involvement. Less patient benefits were associated with a higher likelihood of clinically significant depression/anxiety.

Conclusion Pruritus induces significant burden and psychological morbidity, particularly for patients without anogenital involvement. However, coping strategies used by patients with anogenital psoriasis might be dysfunctional for overall psychosocial adaptation. Patient-centred healthcare might be the best way to prevent psychological comorbidity.

Acta Derm Venereol. 2022 Jan 31;102:adv00641.

People with visible skin diseases often experience stigmatisation. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate an intervention for medical students to counter the stigmatisation of people with skin diseases. A 3-h intervention was developed, including self-experience, education and a patient encounter. Effectiveness regarding outcomes was assessed at 3 time points: before and immediately after the intervention, and at 3-month follow-up. Data from 127 participants were analysed. Regarding all outcomes, significant effects were observed in the intervention group, for
“social distance”, “agreement with negative stereotypes”, “agreement with disease-related misconceptions” and “intended behaviour”. These results should encourage medical faculties to invest in such courses to prevent stigmatisation.

Poster presented at the European Health Psychology Society Conference, Bratislava, Slovakia