- Questo studio ha mostrato che i soggetti affetti da psoriasi appartenenti a minoranze sessuali riportano una minor salute mentale e fisica rispetto ai soggetti eterosessuali con psoriasi. È emerso un rischio 4 volte superiore di depressione, disturbi fisici frequenti e scarsa salute globale.
- Gli interventi da parte dei medici curanti sembrano essere carenti.
Abstract
Introduction
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that causes physical disfigurement and impacts mental health and quality of life. Sexual minorities (SMs) report higher rates of mental health and chronic medical issues, and other chronic skin diseases, such as acne vulgaris, have been found to disproportionately affect mental health among SMs. This study assesses the impact of sexual orientation on the relationship between psoriasis, mental health, and physical health among adults in the United States.
Methods
We conducted a secondary analysis of population-based, cross-sectional data from the 2003-2006 and 2009-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, including heterosexual and SM (lesbian, gay, bisexual, or “something else”) participants aged 18 to 59 years. The study included 14,932 heterosexual (371 with psoriasis and 14,561 without psoriasis) and 1004 SM (30 with psoriasis and 974 without psoriasis) participants.
Conclusions
This study suggests that SMs with psoriasis report poorer mental and physical health than heterosexuals with psoriasis. In particular, we found that SMs with psoriasis had nearly 4-fold higher odds of reporting symptoms of clinical depression, frequent physical distress, and poor overall health. Despite these differences, SMs with psoriasis were no more likely than heterosexuals with psoriasis to report receiving mental health care, indicating that physician interventions might be lacking. High baseline rates of mental and physical health issues among SMs likely contribute to these differences. Study strengths include the use of a nationally representative sample. Limitations include self-reported data and the small number of SMs with psoriasis. Future studies are needed to better understand factors contributing to the mental and physical health impact of psoriasis among SMs and the potential for intersectionality with other minority identities (eg, race/ethnicity). Increasing routine collection of sexual orientation, mental health, and the quality of life impact of psoriasis will empower dermatologists to provide the high-quality, patient-oriented care that these populations need and deserve