A Comparative Analysis of the Predictors, Extent and Impacts of Self-stigma in Patients with Psoriasis and Atopic Dermatitis

Authors

  • Sophie Schlachter German Center for Health Services Research in Dermatology (CVderm), Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing (IVDP), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
  • Rachel Sommer German Center for Health Services Research in Dermatology (CVderm), Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing (IVDP), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
  • Matthias Augustin German Center for Health Services Research in Dermatology (CVderm), Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing (IVDP), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
  • Athanasios Tsianakas Fachklinik Bad Bentheim, Department of Dermatology, Bad Bentheim, Germany
  • Lukas Westphal German Center for Health Services Research in Dermatology (CVderm), Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing (IVDP), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2340/actadv.v103.3962

Keywords:

atopic dermatitis, anxiety, depression, psoriasis, stereotyping, quality of life

Abstract

The impact of dermatological diseases goes beyond symptoms and often includes psychosocial burden. Self-stigmatization plays a key role in this relationship and was compared in patients with psoriasis and atopic dermatitis to evaluate the validity of cross-disease stigmatization models. In total, 101 patients per indication were included in this cross-sectional study. Besides sociodemographic and clinical data, patient-reported outcome measures relating to self-stigmatization, depression, anxiety, and quality of life were compared across groups. Sociodemographic and clinical factors were tested for their moderating effects between self-stigmatization and quality of life. Group mean comparisons yielded no significant differences in self-stigmatization between patient groups. In both diseases, self-stigmatization significantly predicted depression and anxiety symptoms as well as quality of life. Current symptoms, not having close social relationships, and lower age predicted self-stigma in patients with psoriasis, whereas the involvement of sensitive body areas, the sum of previous treatments, and female sex were predictors in patients with atopic dermatitis. In both groups, symptoms had significantly moderating effects. The results underline the relevance of self-stigmatization in patients with chronic skin diseases. Awareness should be raised, screening implemented, and psychosocial support offered early on. Assessments, conceptual models of self-stigma, and interventions are probably applicable for both diseases.

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Author Biographies

Sophie Schlachter, German Center for Health Services Research in Dermatology (CVderm), Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing (IVDP), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany

first/lead author

Rachel Sommer, German Center for Health Services Research in Dermatology (CVderm), Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing (IVDP), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany

PD Dr. Rachel Sommer is the directress of the the department person-centered health services research in the German Center for Health Services Research in Dermatology (CVderm), Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing (IVDP), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.

Matthias Augustin, German Center for Health Services Research in Dermatology (CVderm), Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing (IVDP), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany

Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Matthias Augustin is the director of the German Center for Health Services Research in Dermatology (CVderm), Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing (IVDP), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.

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Published

2023-04-04

How to Cite

Schlachter, S., Sommer, R., Augustin, M., Tsianakas, A., & Westphal, L. (2023). A Comparative Analysis of the Predictors, Extent and Impacts of Self-stigma in Patients with Psoriasis and Atopic Dermatitis. Acta Dermato-Venereologica, 103, adv3962. https://doi.org/10.2340/actadv.v103.3962