Further studies required for psychiatric & quality of sleep in psoriasis patients

[Fred]

This little study looked at General psychiatric symptoms, quality of sleep, and coping strategies in patients with psoriasis, and concluded that further experimental studies were required to explain the findings.

Quote:

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Background:
Psoriasis is a common dermatological disorder with psychiatric comorbidity. Psoriasis is associated with a variety of psychological problems, including poor self-esteem, sexual dysfunction, sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation.

Objectives:
We aimed to investigate general psychiatric symptoms, quality of sleep, and coping strategies in patients with psoriasis vulgaris.

Methods:
A total of 79 subjects (37 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 42 control subjects) were enrolled in the study. Coping strategies were measured using the Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced (COPE) Scale. General psychopathological status was assessed using the Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL90R), and sleep quality and disturbances were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).

Results:
The mean age of the patients was 39.18 ± 16.85 years. The mean age of control subjects was 39.33 ± 11.61 years. The mean score on the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) was 7.56 ± 3.66. There were no significant differences in scores on the SCL90R and COPE subscales between the patient and control groups. However, significant differences between the groups emerged on the PSQI subscales for subjective sleep quality and habitual sleep efficiency (Z = −1.964, P = 0.049, and Z = −2.452, P = 0.014, respectively).

Conclusions:
The present study found no significant differences in general psychiatric symptoms and coping strategies between the psoriasis patients and the control group, by contrast with findings reported elsewhere in the literature. We think that the low PASI scores of our patients, which indicate the low severity of disease in the present group, is the main reason for this finding. However, sleep quality is lower in psoriasis vulgaris patients than in healthy controls. This may be associated with the itch and pain caused by lesions. Further experimental studies are required to explain these findings.

Source: NO LINKS ALLOWED

*International Journal of Dermatology, no funding disclosed

[Caroline]

Hmmmm, how do they measure sleep quality?

eh, if this is about sleeping, perhaps I can volunteer I am a good sleeper

[Fred]

Hmmmm, how do they measure sleep quality?

eh, if this is about sleeping, perhaps I can volunteer    I am a good sleeper  

They hook you up to a computer and attach things to your bonce that measure what is going on inside your mind, in your case it could be to much for the computer though.

[bav101]

I'll be more surprised if they found anything if they hooked me up plus i cant remember the last time I had a good nights sleep, I think it happened once this year so far.

[Kat]

I've had 3 sleep tests done. They hook wires all over (a ton of them!) they are in your hair even. Then all these wires come together to hook into a machine. I have never understood how they expect anyone (especially someone with sleep issues to start with) to sleep during the test. I've always left them feeling like I maybe got an hour or two sleep total, but it's always been enough for them to record whatever it is they are looking for. I have sleep apnea (an apnea is when you stop breathing) so get to sleep with a machine that blows air up my nose at night. No fun but better than the alternatives.

[jiml]

The study to me looks as if they have come up with an answer we could have have guessed at without quite so many words. I'm trying to think what they hope to achieve with this type of study
To me it's obvious if you are itching or in pain you will sleep less soundly than if you were feeling well.

[Kat]

The study to me looks as if they have come up with an answer we could have have guessed at without quite so many words. I'm trying to think what they hope to achieve with this type of study
To me it's obvious if you are itching or in pain you will sleep less soundly than if you were feeling well.

I thought of that as well Jim. As you say it makes sense that if you are waking up due to itching or pain, you're not going to be sleeping well.

[mataribot]

The study to me looks as if they have come up with an answer we could have have guessed at without quite so many words. I'm trying to think what they hope to achieve with this type of study
To me it's obvious if you are itching or in pain you will sleep less soundly than if you were feeling well.

If somehow we can control your mental problems, we won't have to fork over loads of cash on your treatment.

[Quest4Cure]

The crawly itching has been a long time issue with my sleep! UNTIL my doc finally found a anti-histamine that worked. As it is mentioned in one of Fred's med posts for itching!