Could Psoriasis Increase Risk of Depression?

All patients with psoriasis could be at risk for developing depression, according to a recent study.

In the past, researchers have found that psoriasis could put a patient at risk for depression, and that depression could exacerbate or trigger psoriasis, but the details of the relationship between the 2 conditions requires further exploration.
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In their population-based study, researchers evaluated 351 cases of psoriasis and 968 cases of depression among a study population of 12,382 citizens. Of the participants, 58 who had psoriasis exhibited criteria for a depression diagnosis based on the Patient Health Questionnaire—9.

Overall, the mean Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score was significantly higher in patients with history of psoriasis compared to those without the condition (4.5 vs, 3.22).

“Self-reported history of psoriasis was independently associated with major depression as assessed by a validated screening tool, even when controlling for comorbidities,” they concluded, adding, “the severity of psoriasis was unrelated to the risk of major depression. Therefore, all patients with psoriasis, regardless of severity, may be at risk for major depression.”

The complete study is published in the September issue of JAMA Dermatology.

-Michelle Canales Butcher

Reference:

Cohen BE, Martires JK, Ho RS, et al. Psoriasis and the risk of depression in the US population. JAMA Derm. 2015 September [epub ahead of print] doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2015.3605.