Palmoplantar psoriasis: A clinico-epidemiological study with special reference to its impact on quality of life

Abstract

Background Palmoplantar psoriasis (PPP) is a variety of psoriasis constituting 3-4% of psoriatic and mainly affects the skin of the palms and soles. It is often a disfiguring disease and exerts a considerable negative intact on the quality of life (QoL) of the involved. Only few studies have evaluated QoL in PPP, especially in eastern India.   Objective We aimed to study the demographic profile of patients with PPP, clinical characteristics and quantify the impact of the disease on the QoL of patients.   Methods Eligible patients were evaluated with history, clinical examination and quality of life assessment by two separate instruments, namely QoL assessment introduced by Farley et al. and Dermatology Life Quality Index by Finley. The findings of each patient were noted on separate case record sheets.   Results One hundred patients were studied. Age of the patients ranged from14-65 years. Most patients (51%) had psoriatic involvement of other body areas in addition to palms and soles. 5% patients had family history of psoriasis. This study supports the impression that even with limited body surface involvement; patients with PPP suffer from a significant impact as measured on both instruments. There was significant correlation between the measures of quality of life between the two instruments and inverse correlation with involved surface area of body involvement.   Conclusion Palmoplantar psoriasis (PPP) affects both genders almost equally, affecting our population almost a decade earlier than our western counterparts. PPP causes significant decrease in overall Quality of Life other than causing social embarrassment.