Florence J. Dalgard, Karin Sjöström, Johan Fhager, Åke Svensson, Ewa Wallin, Inese Hauksson
DOI: 10.2340/00015555-3460

Clinical epidemiological knowledge concerning psychodermatology patients is scarce. The objective of this study was to assess morbidity in a new psychodermatology service. Information was gathered from patient records at the psychodermatology unit in Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden, from 1 February 2017 to 31 January 2018. All patients were screened with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) at baseline and after 12 months. Additional information was collated from the patient records. A total of 50 patients were treated during the 12 months, 86% were women, mean age 44 years (standard deviation (SD) 16 years). Itch was present in 72% of patients. Forty-two percent of patients were diagnosed with mood disorders, 30% with personality disorders, and 16% with delusional disorders. At baseline 40% of patients had a DLQI score >11, clinical depression was present in 14%, and clinical anxiety in 28%. These data emphasize the need for access to a multidisciplinary unit for dermatology patients.

The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of patients seen at a psychodermatology unit. Information was gathered from patient records at the psychodermatology unit of Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden. All patients were screened for mood disorders and quality of life. A total of 50 patients were treated during a 1-year period, 86% women, mean age 44 years. Itch was present in 72% of patients, 42% had mood disorders, 30% personality disorders, and 16% delusional disorders. Forty percent of the patients had a very large impact on their quality of life. These findings highlight the importance of psychodermatology services.