A study of skin manifestations in patients with psychiatric disorders

Authors

  • Haritha Samanthula Department of Dermatology, Dr. Pinnamaneni Siddhartha Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Foundation, Chinoutpalli, Gannavaram mandal, Krishna Dt., Andhra Pradesh, India
  • Madhavi Kodali Department of Psychiatry, Dr. Pinnamaneni Siddhartha Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Foundation, Chinoutpalli, Gannavaram mandal, Krishna Dt., Andhra Pradesh, India
  • Karthik Manyam Dr. Pinnamaneni Siddhartha Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Foundation, Chinoutpalli, Gannavaram mandal, Krishna Dt., Andhra Pradesh, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/issn.2455-4529.IntJResDermatol20183161

Keywords:

Psychodermatology, Skin manifestations, Psychocutaneous disorders

Abstract

Background: The interaction between psychological factors and skin diseases has long been hypothesized. Considerations of psychiatry and psychosocial factors are important for better management of dermatological disorders as coexistence of psychiatric and dermatological disorders are mostly seen. The aim of the study was to identify skin manifestations in individuals suffering from psychiatric disorders.

Methods: A total of 100 patients attending dermatology OPD were screened for history of any psychiatric illness and patients with a positive history of psychiatric illness were recruited into study. The skin lesions were categorised as per the classification of psychodermatology and results were analysed accordingly.

Results: The patients recruited belonged to age groups ranging from 12 to 70 with a higher female to male ratio (54% females and 46% males). The psychophysiological disorders constituted 29 %, among them chronic urticaria (34.4%) followed by psoriasis (27.58%) constituted the majority. 18% had primary psychiatric disorders, of which pruritis (61.1%) and delusions of parasitosis (22.2%) were commonly observed. Secondary psychiatric disorders constituted 21%, among them vitiligo comprised (33.33%), and acne (28.57%).

Conclusions: The study shows a positive association of skin diseases with psychiatric illnesses. Dermatologists should be able to treat the patients holistically, and must know the ideal time to refer the patients to psychiatrists for better management.

References

Basavaraj KH, Navya MA, and Rashmi R. Relevance of psychiatry in dermatology: Present concepts: Indian J Psychiatry. 2010;52(3):270–5.

Korabel H, Dudek D, Jaworek A, Wojas-Pelc A. Psychodermatology: Psychological and psychiatrical aspects of aspects of dermatology. PrzeglLek. 2008;65:244–8.

Misery L. Neuro-immuno-cutaneous system (NICS) Pathol Biol (Paris). 1996;44:867–74.

Laihinen A. Psychosomatic aspects in dermatoses. Ann Clin Res. 1987;19:147–9.

Garg A, Chren MM, Sands LP, Matsui MS, Marenus KD, Feingold KR, et al. Psychological stress perturbs epidermal barrier homeostasis. Arch Dermatol. 2001;137:53–9.

Al'Abadie MS, Kent CG, Gawkrodger DJ. The relationship between stress and the onset and exacerbation of psoriasis and other skin conditions. Br J Dermatol. 1994;130:199–203.

Harvima RJ, Viinamaki H, Harvima IT, Naukkarinen A, Savolainen L, Aalto ML, et al. Association of psychic stress with clinical severity and symptoms of psoriatic patients. Acta Derm Venereol. 1996;76:467–71.

Capoore HS, Rowland Payne CM, Goldin D. Does psychological intervention help chronic skin conditions? Postgrad Med J. 1998;74:662-4.

Koo JY, Lee CS.General approach to evaluating psychodermatological disorders. Psycocutaneous medicine. Newyork, NY: Marcel Dekker, inc; 2003: 1-29.

Hebbar S, Ahuja N, Chandrasekaran R. High prevalence of delusional parasitosis in an Indian setting. Indian J Psychiatry. 1999;41:136-9.

Sharquie KE, Noaimi AA, Younis MS, Al-Sultani BS. The major psychocutaneous disorders in Iraqi patients. J Cosmetics, Dermatolol Sci Applications. 2015;5:53-61

Mattoo SK, Handa S, Kaur I, Gupta N, Malhotra R. Psychiatric morbidity in vitiligo: Prevalence and correlates in India. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2002;16:573-8.

Saitta P, Keehan P, Yousif J, Way BV, Grekin S, Brancaccio R. An update on the presence of psychiatric comorbidities in acne patients, Part 2: Depression, anxiety, and suicide. Cutis. 2011;88:92-7

Gupta MA, Gupta AK. Depression and suicidal ideation in dermatology patients with acne, alopecia areata, atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. Br J Dermatol. 1998;139:846-50.

Mattoo SK, Handa S, Kaur I, Gupta N, Malhotra R. Psychiatric morbidity in vitiligo and psoriasis: A comparative study. Indian J Dermatol. 2001;28:424-32.

Downloads

Published

2018-07-24

Issue

Section

Original Research Articles