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History of psoriasis associated with major depression

Patients with a self-reported history of psoriasis were more likely to have major depression, and the risk was not related to the severity of psoriasis, according to recently published study results.

Researchers conducted a population-based study using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey collected from 2009 through 2012. Nine questions from the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 depression assessment tool were used to diagnose major depression.

There were 12,382 participants in the study, with 351 (2.8%) cases of psoriasis and 968 (7.8%) cases of major depression identified. Fifty-eight patients with psoriasis (16.5%) met the criteria for major depression diagnosis.

Patients with a history of psoriasis had a mean Patients Health Questionnaire-9 score (4.54) that was significantly higher compared with those without psoriasis (3.22; P < .001).

“Psoriasis was significantly associated with major depression, even after adjustment for sex, age, race, BMI, physical activity, smoking history, alcohol use, history of myocardial infarction [MI], history of stroke and history of diabetes mellitus (OR = 2.09; 95% CI, 1.41-3.11),” the researchers wrote.

In interaction term analyses, patients with both a history of psoriasis and MI (OR = 1.09; 95% CI, 0.28-3.6) or psoriasis and stroke (OR = 0.67; 95% CI, 0.12-3.66), did not have a synergistically increased risk of major depression. In multivariable analyses, there was no different in risk for major depression between patients with limited psoriasis and patients with extensive psoriasis (OR = 0.66; 95% CI, 0.18-2.44).

“Self-reported history of psoriasis was independently associated with major depression as assessed by a validated screening tool,” the researchers concluded. “Participants with psoriasis were more likely to report that any depressive symptoms interfered with work and social function. … Our study supports that all patients with psoriasis, regardless of severity, are at risk for depressive symptoms and may benefit from depression screening.” — by Bruce Thiel

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.