Cutaneous photodamage in schizophrenia patients (original) (raw)

The prevalence of skin disorders in patients with schizophrenia

2023

There is ample evidence suggesting the presence of various multisystemic comorbidities in patients with schizophrenia. However, data on dermatological comorbidities in these patients are scarce. The present study aimed to analyze the profile of cutaneous conditions in patients with schizophrenia and contribute to the existing evidence in this area. A total of 102 consecutive adult patients with schizophrenia, who were attending the follow-up service at the outpatient clinic of the Department of Psychiatry in a tertiary hospital in North India, were evaluated by a dermatologist for the presence of any skin disorder. Dermatological findings were noted in 70% of patients and 38% had multiple skin conditions. Infections were the most prevalent diagnosis, with fungal infections being commonly observed. Other common dermatoses included nevi, age-related cutaneous changes, dyschromia, and drug-induced acne. The present study concluded that there is a high prevalence of dermatological diseases in patients with schizophrenia. Caregivers and psychiatrists managing these patients should familiarize themselves with these conditions, and dermatology consultation should be sought for prompt diagnosis and management.

Dermatoglyphics in patients with schizophrenia - findings in the macedonian population

Prilozi / Makedonska akademija na naukite i umetnostite, Oddelenie za biološki i medicinski nauki = Contributions / Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Section of Biological and Medical Sciences, 2013

The human palms and soles are textured with skin different to that of the other body surface. Instead of sebaceous glands or hairs, there are sweat glands opening into epidermal ridges. They are variously oriented, thus forming different patterns. The aim of the study was to assess some dermatoglyphic patterns, the TRC and the a-b ridge count in a sample of patients and a control group of healthy examinees. Material and method: 59 male and 50 female patients with schizophrenia and 60 healthy male and 50 female individuals as a control group were included in the study. Hand prints were taken using the method of Cummins and Midlo; pattern types were determined and classified using the Henry classification. An analysis of pattern frequency in schizophrenia compared to the normal controls was conducted. Results: The patterns most frequently present are loops (ulnar) with greater incidence and whorls with smaller incidence in patients with schizophrenia compared to the healthy individuals. The number of arches is higher in male patients and lower in female patients. Complex patterns are rare. TRC in females has lower values found in patients. The a-b ridge count has significant difference in male and female patients; higher values in male and lower in female patients. Conclusion: There is some association between the frequency of certain dermatoglyphic characteristicss and schizophrenia. Our findings form a useful database for the dermatoglyphic marks present in patients with schizophrenia and healthy subjects of Macedonian nationality.

The presentation of dermatoglyphic abnormalities in schizophrenia: A meta-analytic review

Schizophrenia Research, 2012

Within a neurodevelopmental model of schizophrenia, prenatal developmental deviations are implicated as early signs of increased risk for future illness. External markers of central nervous system maldevelopment may provide information regarding the nature and timing of prenatal disruptions among individuals with schizophrenia. One such marker is dermatoglyphic abnormalities (DAs) or unusual epidermal ridge patterns. Studies targeting DAs as a potential sign of early developmental disruption have yielded mixed results with regard to the strength of the association between DAs and schizophrenia. The current study aimed to resolve these inconsistencies by conducting a meta-analysis examining the six most commonly cited dermatoglyphic features among individuals with diagnoses of schizophrenia. Twenty-two studies published between 1968 and 2012 were included. Results indicated significant but small effects for total finger ridge count and total A-B ridge count, with lower counts among individuals with schizophrenia relative to controls. Other DAs examined in the current meta-analysis did not yield significant effects. Total finger ridge count and total A-B ridge count appear to yield the most reliable dermatoglyphic differences between individuals with and without schizophrenia.

A comparative study of dermatoglyphic markers in schizophrenia patients and normal controls

International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 2017

Background: Schizophrenia is a complex mental illness with multiple etiological factors. Prenatal insult to the developing foetus has been implicated as a major risk factor for the genesis of schizophrenia, according to the neuro-developmental model. As the brain and skin are ectodermal derivatives, insult to developing brain is reflected in several dermatoglyphic markers.Methods: Total finger ridge count (TFRC), Total A-B ridge count (TABRC) and ATD Angle of 100 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia were compared with 100 age and sex matched healthy controls.Results: Statistically significant differences were observed in the values recorded and compared between healthy controls and schizophrenia patients.Conclusions: This study shows the correlation between abnormalities in dermatoglyphic patterns and development of schizophrenia.

Skin and Hair Conditions in Women with Schizophrenia or Related Disorders

2018

Attractive appearance is vital to self-image, with the result that skin and hair disease can elicit substantial distress, reportedly more so in women than in men. Women who already experience a stigmatized illness such as schizophrenia or a related disorder find the added burden of an externally visible disease particularly upsetting. The aim of this review is to describe the skin and hair diseases most frequently associated with psychosis, especially as they affect women, and to discuss their treatment. Recent publications on this topic are reviewed and the pertinent diseases of skin and hair are grouped into a) delusional disorders b) medication reactions c) self-inflicted conditions and d) autoimmune disorders. Early recognition of disease allows for effective treatment. This is particularly important for dermatologic conditions because they contribute to the shame and self-stigma experienced by many women with schizophrenia and similar disorders.

A study of skin manifestations in patients with psychiatric disorders

International Journal of Research in Dermatology

Background: The interaction between psychological factors and skin diseases has long been hypothesized. Considerations of psychiatry and psychosocial factors are important for better management of dermatological disorders as coexistence of psychiatric and dermatological disorders are mostly seen. The aim of the study was to identify skin manifestations in individuals suffering from psychiatric disorders.Methods: A total of 100 patients attending dermatology OPD were screened for history of any psychiatric illness and patients with a positive history of psychiatric illness were recruited into study. The skin lesions were categorised as per the classification of psychodermatology and results were analysed accordingly.Results: The patients recruited belonged to age groups ranging from 12 to 70 with a higher female to male ratio (54% females and 46% males). The psychophysiological disorders constituted 29 %, among them chronic urticaria (34.4%) followed by psoriasis (27.58%) constituted...

Skin diseases in patients with primary psychiatric conditions: A hospital based study

Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health, 2013

Background: Although the relationship between skin diseases in patients with primary psychiatric conditions is important for patient management, studies on this issue are limited. Objective: To detect the frequency and type of cutaneous disorders among patients with primary psychiatric conditions. Subjects and methods: This analytic cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 400 subjects-200 patients with primary psychiatric disorders and 200 age and sex matched individuals free from primary psychiatric disorders. Patients included in the study were diagnosed according to The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DMS IV) Criteria. A specially designed questionnaire including socio-demographic data, medical history, family history and dermatological examination was applied. The data were statistically analyzed. Results: There was a significant statistical increase in the prevalence of skin diseases in general and infectious skin diseases in particular in psychiatric patients compared with non-psychiatric patients (71.5% versus 22%, P < 0.001

Skin disorders in chronic psychiatric illness

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2010

Background Chronic psychiatric patients are prone to develop skin diseases. However, epidemiological data are scarce. Objective To describe the prevalence of skin complaints and dermatological disorders in residential psychiatric patients. Methods Ninety-one randomly chosen patients of the residential wards of a general psychiatric hospital completed a short, structured interview concerning skin disease and underwent a physical examination of the skin. Results Of the examined patients, 69% reported symptoms of skin disease in the month prior to the interview and 77% had skin disorders at physical examination. In 34 (37%) patients, skin disorders were diagnosed, which were not mentioned in the interview. Patients with diabetes had infectious skin disease more often than their fellow patients [odds ratio (OR) 10.9; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.40-49.75]. Moreover, overweight patients had infectious skin disease more often (OR 7.4; 95% CI: 1.38-39.3). Women reported more skin complaints (OR 6.4: 95% CI: 1.67-24.2), and also had skin problems other than infection, tumours or dermatitis more frequently (OR 3.7; 95% CI: 1.34-10.14). Clozapine use was associated with benign neoplasms of the skin. The nature of this association remains unclear and merits further investigation. Conclusions Many chronic psychiatric patients have skin problems. Clinical examination of the skin is important to discover these problems. Patients with diabetes mellitus are particularly at risk for skin infections. Because of their relationship with overweight and diabetes mellitus, atypical antipsychotics may be partly responsible for these serious complications. Only a few other relationships between psychiatric medication and specific skin problems were found.