Sexual dysfunction in psoriasis patients: study on the relationship between disease severity and degree of stress due to prosiasis

Abstract

Psoriasis is a chronic, systemic, and immune-mediated skin disease that can affect physical,
psychological and social functions of patients leading to a significant impact on sexual
dysfunction. The aim of study was to evaluate the relationship between disease severity and
degree of stress with sexual dysfunction in psoriasis patients. This was an observational study
using case control design. Subjects were psoriasis vulgaris patients who visited Squamous
Division, Polyclinic of Department of Dermato-Venereology, Dr. Sardjito General Hospital/Faculty
of Medicine Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta. Disease severity was assessed using psoriasis
area severity index (PASI), whereas sexual dysfunction was evaluated using arizona sexual
experience scale (ASEX) and Psoriasis-related psychological stress was assessed using psoriasis
life stress inventory (PLSI). Among 93 patients of psoriasis, 38 patients (40.8%) suffered from
sexual dysfunction. Factors that influence the occurrence of sexual dysfunction in psoriasis
patients were disease severity (p=0.00), psoriasis-related stress (p=0.00), disease onset (p=0.03),
age (p=0.04) and joint pain (p=0.04). In conclusion, disease severity and degree of stress are
associated with sexual dysfunction on psoriasis patients.