Magdalena Żychowska, Adam Reich, Joanna Maj, Alina Jankowska-Konsur, Jacek C. Szepietowski
DOI: 10.2340/00015555-3602

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease, that often develops below the age of 18. In an integrated approach to childhood psoriasis, the impact of psoriasis on family members merits consideration. In this study, the impact of childhood psoriasis on caregivers (61 mothers and 4 fathers) of 65 children (age range 5-17.5 years) was measured using Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI). Childhood psoriasis exerted a substantial impact on the QoL of caregivers (mean FDLQI 13.62±6.15 points). Caregivers rated routine household expenditure, time spent caring for the skin of the child, and emotional distress as the areas most impacted by psoriasis. The areas least affected were parent-child relationships, and caregivers’ social lives. The impact of other people’s reactions to the child’s disease was rated as more severe by caregivers of girls compared with those of boys (p=0.004).

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease, which often develops in patients below the age of 18 years, and exerts a negative impact on the quality of life of both the child and their family members. In this study, the influence of childhood psoriasis on the caregivers of 65 children was measured using the Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI). Childhood psoriasis exerted negative influence on caregivers’ QoL, with the greatest impact on routine household expenditure, the amount of time spent on looking after the child’s skin, and emotional distress. Impairment of the wellbeing of family members should be taken into consideration in an integrated approach to childhood psoriasis.