Oz Segal, Gil Goldzweig, Einat Tako, Aviv Barzilai, Anna Lyakhovitsky, Sharon Baum
DOI: 10.2340/00015555-3785

Data regarding the impact of psychological factors in patients with pemphigus is sparse. This study evaluated the correlation of demographic, clinical, and psychological parameters with quality of life in 58 patients with pemphigus. Illness perception showed a realistic view, with the highest scores for cyclical course (3.35 ± 0.09) and treatment control (3.08 ± 0.06). Mean scores for perceived social support were relatively high from family and significant others (5.89 ± 0.18 and 5.66 ± 0.23, accordingly), and relatively low from friends (4.55 ± 0.24). There were no correlations be­tween demographic, clinical parameters, perceived social support, and Dermatology Life Quality Index. Beliefs in cyclical course, emotional influence, psychological cause, and treatment control correlated significantly with quality of life. Stronger beliefs in self-control, chronicity, and accidental cause predicted higher quality of life, while stronger beliefs in cyclical course, psychological cause, and risk factors predicted lower quality of life. In order to enhance QoL, dermatologists should deliver the message to the patients that pemphigus is a chronic disease rather than cyclical and unexpected, and stress the patients’ role in controlling it.

Data on the impact of psychological factors on quality of life in patients with pemphigus are sparse. This study evaluated illness perception and perceived social support and their influence on quality of life in 58 patients with pemphigus. The results showed that patients had realistic illness perceptions and high perceived social support. Higher beliefs in personal control, chronic course, and accidental cause predicted higher quality of life, while higher beliefs in cyclical course, psychological cause, and risk factors predicted lower quality of life. The results indicate a significant influence of psychological factors on quality of life in patients with pemphigus.