Genital psoriasis and impact on sexual health

[Fred]

A one year quality of life and sexual health observational study in adult Asian psoriasis patients.

Quote:

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Genital involvement and sexual dysfunction are common amongst patients with psoriasis. However, the effects of genital psoriasis on quality of life (QOL) and sexual health of psoriasis patients are not well understood.

We performed an observational study on adult Asian psoriasis patients attending psoriasis subspecialty clinics in a tertiary dermatology centre in Singapore over 1 year. Participants underwent clinical examination of the whole-body surface, with particular attention to the genitalia and questionnaires to evaluate QOL and psychosexual health were administered.

A total of 62 patients participated. Most participants were male (82.3%) with a mean age of 41.7 years (SD 12.5). The mean Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score was 7.0 (SD 4.3) with a mean Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) score of 9.8 (SD 6.7), indicating moderately impaired QOL. Higher PASI scores were associated with increasing QOL impairment on DLQI (p = 0.021). The commonest site involved was the suprapubic region (61.3%).

Males in whom genital psoriasis prevented sexual intercourse or diminished their libido reported more sexual dysfunction. Females reported a greater severity impact of genital psoriasis in terms of symptoms and embarrassment (p = 0.038) yet were less likely to be on treatment (37.5% vs. 45.0%).

Perceived efficacy of treatment was low, and younger patients fared poorly on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 depression questionnaire (p = 0.047). Clinicians should proactively evaluate for and treat genital psoriasis, as patients may be reluctant to discuss their genital rashes if not prompted, leading to under-recognition and undertreatment.

Source: onlinelibrary.wiley.com

*Funding: No funding stated

[Turnedlight]

The effects on quality of life aren’t well understood? It wouldn’t take a genius to work out if you’re not aright down there it’s going to affect your quality of life..

But it’s a good study if it raise awareness in our lovely caring doctors (most of whom I’m starting to think are far from geniuses).

[Caroline]

The effects on quality of life aren’t well understood? It wouldn’t take a genius to work out if you’re not aright down there it’s going to affect your quality of life.. 

Yes… to me this seems quite obvious and the conclusions are very logical if you just think about them.
Seems awful to me to have psoriasis on those places.

But it’s a good study if it raise awareness in our lovely caring doctors (most of whom I’m starting to think are far from geniuses).

not geniuses…. Very recognisable unfortunately. There are very good ones, but I myself had to look for years to finally find one of them that really understood the problems I had.

[mataribot]

Finding a good doctor is like winning the lottery - there’s too many bad ones.