Psychiatric morbidity among dermatology patients: A hospital-based cross-sectional study

• Published in: Journal of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery Vol. 25; no. 1; pp. 22 - 25
• Main Authors: Altraide, Dasetima, Okeafor, Chukwuma, Otike-Odibi, Bolaji
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd 01.01.2021; Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd
• Subjects: Mental illness; Psychological aspects; Risk factors; Skin diseases; Social aspects; Statistics; Nigeria; perceived stigma; Dermatology; mental health; psychiatric disorders
• ISSN: 2352-2410; 2352-2429
• DOI: 10.4103/jdds.jdds_41_20

Background: Increased frequency of psychiatric and emotional health problems has been reported among patients with dermatological lesions. These problems could negatively affect the quality of life of these patients. Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the psychiatric morbidity among dermatology patients. It also sought to determine the relationship between sociodemographic factors and psychiatric morbidity. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study consisting of 90 consenting patients attending the dermatological clinic of University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. These patients filled the study questionnaire which comprised of a sociodemographic questionnaire, general health questionnaire (GHQ-12), and a perceived stigma scale. A GHQ score of ≥ 3 was considered as having psychiatric morbidity. Statistical analysis was performed at the 0.05 significance level. Results: The mean age of the patients was 32 ± 13 years and a male to female ratio of 1:2; 34 of the 90 patients (38%) had psychiatric morbidity. Forty-three (48%) patients had perceived stigma, with mild perceived stigma as the most common category (40%) of perceived stigma. There was no significant relationship between sociodemographic characteristics of the patients and psychiatric morbidity (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Psychiatric morbidity is common among patients with dermatological lesions irrespective of their sociodemographic characteristics. Addressing the psychosocial care of patients who attend the dermatologic outpatient clinic may be helpful.