Sandra R. Leichtman and Joseph W. Burnett

Department of Dermatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 405 W. Redwood Street, 6th floor, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. E-mail: VWilliford@som.umaryland.edu

Accepted May 16, 2006.

Sir,

We applaud the research efforts of the Italian group evaluating the psychosocial effects of psoriasis using the Life Quality Index (1). This aspect of the disease, often overlooked by the average therapist, is extremely important for the management of the whole patient. In addition to the tests applied above, we suggest that clinicians also consider our Human Figure Drawing assessment reported in the psychological literature in 1981 (2). This rapidly administered and scored measure is sensitive to identifying body image concerns of patients with severe psoriasis and can enhance the therapist’s understanding of ways in which psoriasis affects perceptions and feelings about oneself. It is easy and fun to conduct.

References

1. Mazzotti E, Barbaranelli C, Picardi A, Abeni D, Pasquni P. Psychometric properties of the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQ) in 900 Italian patients with psoriasis. Acta Derm Venerol 2005; 85: 409–413.

2. Leichtman SR, Burnett JW, Robinson HM Jr. Body image concerns of psoriasis patients as reflected in human figure drawings. J Personality Assess 1981; 45: 478–484.

Editor´s note: Mazzotti et al. have been given the opportunity to comment this Letter.