A new report finds that individuals with psoriasis may be at a greater risk for depression. Psoriasis is a systemic, inflammatory, autoimmune disease that affects 3-4% of Americans. It causes patches of thick, red skin, and silvery scales, usually on the elbows, knees, scalp, lower back, face, palms, and soles of feet. Investigators found that 16.5% of the psoriasis patients in their analysis suffered from major depression. They speculate the psychiatric burden of psoriasis may be related to how patients perceive the social response to their appearance, rather than objective disease severity. The authors conclude, “Our study supports that all patients with psoriasis, regardless of severity, are at risk for depressive symptoms and may benefit from depression screening.”
JAMA Dermatology, September 2015