Affective temperaments profile as a predisposing factor for chronic plaque psoriasis

Although there is a close relationship between psoriasis and psychological issues, including affective temperaments, few studies have addressed this association. This study aimed to assess the affective temperament profile in chronic plaque psoriasis patients.

This cross-sectional study was conducted at the dermatology outpatient clinic of Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad, during 2018-2019. In the present study, 40 psoriasis patients and 40 healthy sex- and age-matched volunteers were participated. The research instruments included Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), Temperament Evaluation of the Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego-Auto questionnaire (TEMPS-A), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). The t-test, Mann-Whitney, and Chi-square tests were used to compare nominal and categorical variables. Spearman's and Pearson's tests were used to evaluate correlations.

Overall, 36 out of 80 (45%) were male. Depressive, cyclothymic, and anxious temperaments were significantly more prominent in the psoriasis group (P< 0.001), while the hyperthymic score was notably higher in the control group (P= 0.023). There was no significant correlation between disease severity (PASI score) and different affective temperaments. The duration of psoriasis involvement had moderate negative correlations with all affective temperaments (P< 0.05) except for hyperthymic temperament. The prevalence of anxiety (80% vs. 30%; P< 0.001) and depression (60% vs. 32.5%; P= 0.009) were significantly higher in psoriasis patients compared with the controls.

It seems that cyclothymic, depressive, anxious temperaments, as well as anxiety, and depression were more prevalent in psoriasis patients. However, these were not correlated with the disease severity.