Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin, which greatly impairs the patients' self-esteem and consequently leads to a deterioration in their quality of life. Numerous therapeutic options available, when combined, enable to maintain a satisfactory control of the psoriatic lesions. Aesthetic dermatology also provides physicians with tools for targeting the disease symptoms, such as mesotherapy, sonophoresis and chemical peels. AIM: The main aim of the study was to quantify the effect of psoriasis on patients' lives, particularly their self-esteem and everyday life. Moreover, a follow-up survey was used to assess the patients' knowledge on professional and at-home care treatments. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The sample consisted of 45 inpatients admitted to the Dermatology Clinic of the Heliodor Święcicki Clinical Hospital of the Poznan University of Medical Sciences due to a psoriasis flare-up. Data were collected through the DLQI questionnaire, survey, personal interview and physical examination. RESULTS: A vast majority of the respondents reported a strong negative impact of the disease on their self-esteem and this impact was stronger among women. Furthermore, almost all of the patients denied ever receiving aesthetic treatments. CONCLUSIONS: In accordance with previous research, this study also shows that skin imperfections drastically influence the perception of a patient in the society, therefore acknowledging and combining appropriate therapeutic methods should be a matter of vital importance.