Why Mental Health Screening Is Essential for Patients with Psoriatic Disease

“Build up trust,” advises Dr. Husni. “When you first meet a patient, it can take a little while to build rapport.”

Reach consensus with the patient to prioritize treatment for the psoriatic condition and, if necessary, incorporate a mental health discussion. That involves shared decision making between patient and doctor or perhaps a multidisciplinary medical team.

“Mental health has become one of those things that’s just as important as treating their skin and their joints symptoms,” says Dr. Husni.

Catherine Kolonko is a medical writer based in Oregon.

References

1. Hrehorów E, Salomon J, Matusiak L, et al. Patients with psoriasis feel stigmatized. Acta Derm Venereol. 2012 Jan;92 (1):67–72.
2. McDonough E, Ayearst R, Eder L, et al. Depression and anxiety in psoriatic disease: Prevalence and associated factors. J Rheumatol. 2014 May;41 (5):887–896.
3. Sumpton D, Kelly A, Tunnicliffe DJ, et al. Patients’ perspectives and experience of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: A systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative studies. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2020 May;72 (5):711–722.
4. Husni ME, Merola JF, Davin S. The psychosocial burden of psoriatic arthritis. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2017 Dec;47(3):351–360.
5. Zink A, Herrmann M, Fischer T, et al. Addiction: An underestimated problem in psoriasis health care. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2017 Aug;31(8):1308–1315.
6. Sondermann W, Fiege O, Körber A, et al. Psychological burden of psoriatic patients in a German university hospital department. J Dermatol. 2021 Jun;48(6):794–806.