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