A quarter of dermatology patients have anxiety disorders: study

More than 25% of patients with skin conditions suffer from anxiety, which is three times higher than in the general population, shows a new study out of Australia published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology & Venereology.The researchers looked at 29 international studies addressing the prevalence of anxiety in dermatology patients, bringing together 12,800 subjects. For each study, the prevalence of anxiety ranged from 3% to 67%—a gap justified by a great diversity in skin problems, in terms of severity and impact on quality of life. However, a trend emerged for individuals with psoriasis, while the proportion who presented with anxiety disorders rose to 34% or a third of patients.Read: Anxiety vs. stress: The right definition will lead to better mental healthcareIn the vast majority of studies, validated screening tools (e.g., HADS-A) or self-diagnosis were used; they reported an average anxiety rate of 34%. Studies based on clinical diagnosis have noted a rate of around 15%. There would therefore be an overestimation of cases when a screening grid is used in relation to a clinical diagnosis.Studies characterized anxiety disorder with the presence of general anxiety symptoms (i.e., physical symptoms or anxious thoughts), obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, panic disorder, agoraphobia or post-traumatic stress disorder. Patients experiencing anxiety disorders may seek care excessively or, conversely, adopt care-avoidance behaviors. These behaviors can affect interactions with their treating physician and therefore the ability to provide effective care. “Fighting against anxiety and referring to psychosocial resources not only has effects on the patient's mental health, but can also improve their dermatological condition,” the researchers noted.Read: People are getting far more plastic surgery since the pandemic startedAge could be a protective factor against anxiety, according to an analysis published in January 2023. In general, younger individuals place great importance on their physical appearance, and their emotional state is strongly linked to bodily changes. Psychological intervention therefore seems particularly crucial in young patients.The authors raise the difficulty of identifying anxiety. They advocate for improved screening and assessment of anxiety disorders in order to direct patients towards adequate care that meets their mental health needs. This article was translated from French and originally ran in our sister publication Profession Santé.

A quarter of dermatology patients have anxiety disorders: study

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