Psoriasis patients have increased risk for anxiety disorder, finds study

A recent study by Isabelle Jalenques and colleagues suggests that patients with psoriasis should be screened for the presence of anxiety disorders, just as was previously advised for depressive disorders, and if necessary, should be referred for a mental health professional's evaluation and the proper course of treatment. The findings were published in Acta Dermato-Venereologica.

It has been assessed how much psoriasis is linked to depression, but not how much it is linked to anxiety. In order to investigate the incidence and likelihood of anxiety disorders and symptoms in psoriasis patients, researchers performed this study.

Searches for pertinent literature were conducted in five medical databases (Cochrane Database, PubMed, EMBASE, PsychINFO, and ScienceDirect). There were 101 suitable articles in all. In their database searches, the study team employed the following search terms: anxiousness AND psoriasis, Disorder of generalized anxiety, Phobia, panic or panic disorder, Obsession, compulsion, or OCD are all terms for obsessive compulsive disorder.

The key findings of this study were:

The prevalence rates of social anxiety disorder were 15% (95% confidence interval [CI] 9-21], generalized anxiety disorder was 11% (9-14), and nonspecific anxiety disorder was 9% (95% CI 8-10), according to a meta-analysis.

It was impossible to determine the real prevalence of other anxiety disorders since there weren't enough research looking at them.

Additionally, a meta-analysis revealed that anxiety symptoms were quite prevalent (34% [95% CI 32-37]).

Case-control studies revealed a correlation between psoriasis and symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder and psoriasis (odds ratio 1.48 [1.18; 1.85]).

The significant heterogeneity that emerged from each meta-analysis might be attributed to several methodological reasons.

In conclusion, the study shows a substantial and positive correlation between psoriasis and anxiety symptoms and an unidentified anxiety illness, as well as high prevalence rates of anxiety symptoms and certain anxiety disorders in psoriasis patients. Additionally, it demonstrates that methodological considerations have a significant impact on the incidence of anxiety symptoms and some anxiety disorders.

Reference: 

Jalenques, I., Bourlot, F., Martinez, E., Pereira, B., D’Incan, M., Lauron, S., & Rondepierre, F. (2022). Prevalence and Odds of Anxiety Disorders and Anxiety Symptoms in Children and Adults with Psoriasis: Systematic Review and Meta-analysi. In Acta Dermato-Venereologica (Vol. 102, p. adv00769). Medical Journals Sweden AB. https://doi.org/10.2340/actadv.v102.1386