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Subjective Health Complaints in Individuals with Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis: Associations with the Severity of the Skin Condition and Illness Perceptions – A Cross-Sectional Study

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Abstract

Purpose

High comorbidity has been reported among persons with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), but the occurrence of subjective health complaints (SHCs) in these patient groups is poorly understood. The study aimed to describe the prevalence of SHCs among individuals with psoriasis and PsA in Norway, and investigate whether the severity of their skin condition and their illness perceptions were associated with the number and severity of health complaints.

Method

Participants were recruited through the Psoriasis and Eczema Association of Norway (PEF) (n = 942). The participants answered a self-administered questionnaire covering subjective health complaints, the severity of their skin condition, and their illness perceptions measured with the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ-R).

Results

The prevalence and severity of SHCs were high. Participants with PsA reported more complaints and higher severity of complaints compared with participants with psoriasis. In both groups, the severity of the skin condition was associated with the number and severity of SHCs. Cognitive illness perceptions (consequences) and emotional illness perceptions (emotional affect) were associated with SHCs in participants with psoriasis, whereas only cognitive illness perceptions (consequences and identity) were associated with SHCs in participants with PsA.

Conclusion

The high prevalence and severity of SHCs among individuals with psoriasis and PsA were associated with the severity of the skin condition and illness perceptions. Somatic and cognitive sensitizations are proposed as possible mechanisms. The findings suggest that holistic approaches are essential when managing these patient groups in health care institutions and clinical practice.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the Psoriasis and Eczema Association of Norway (Psoriasis- og eksemforbundet, PEF) and to all those who participated in the study. The project, on which this article in based, has been made possible by funding from the Norwegian ExtraFoundation for Health and Rehabilitation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Health Science, Faculty of Landscape and Society, Norwegian University of Life Science, PO Box 5003, NO-1432, Ås, Norway

    Emma Charlott Andersson Nordbø, Geir Aamodt & Camilla Martha Ihlebæk

  2. Faculty of Health and Social Work Studies, Østfold University College, Fredrikstad, Norway

    Camilla Martha Ihlebæk

Authors
  1. Emma Charlott Andersson Nordbø
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  2. Geir Aamodt
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  3. Camilla Martha Ihlebæk
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Emma Charlott Andersson Nordbø.

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Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Funding

The study was funded by the Norwegian ExtraFoundation for Health and Rehabilitation (Project Number DFC6NS).

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Nordbø, E.C.A., Aamodt, G. & Ihlebæk, C.M. Subjective Health Complaints in Individuals with Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis: Associations with the Severity of the Skin Condition and Illness Perceptions – A Cross-Sectional Study. Int.J. Behav. Med. 24, 438–446 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-017-9637-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-017-9637-4

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