Skin disorders in chronic psychiatric illness (original) (raw)

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

Substantial skin disorders in psychiatric illness coincide with diabetes and addiction

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2011

Background Dermatological diseases in psychiatric patients are common; however, epidemiological data on this subject are scarce and to our knowledge integral studies of dermatological disease in psychiatric inpatients are not available yet. Aim The aim of this study was to describe the incidence of dermatological problems in psychiatric inpatients. Method This study evaluates the consultations for new dermatological problems by inpatients of a general psychiatric hospital of over 700 beds during a 6-month period. Results A total of 255 patients consulted their physician because of a new dermatological problem. Diagnoses (n = 360) included skin infections (32%), accidents (7%), decubitus ulcers (7%), complications of medical treatment (3%), auto mutilation (1%) and neoplasms of the skin (1%). Patients with skin infections were likely to have diabetes [odds ratio (OR) = 3.6; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.56-8.40]. Patients with decubitus ulcers were likely to have an addiction problem (OR = 6.4; 95% CI: 1.46-28.00). Dermatitis was associated with affective disorder (OR = 2.5; 95% CI: 1.12-5.43) but not with psychosis (OR = 0.5; 95% CI: 0.23-0.90). Only a poor correlation existed between the length of hospital stay and skin problems. Conclusions Dermatological problems are common in hospitalized psychiatric patients. Patients with diabetes mellitus are at high risk for skin infections. There are significant relationships between the psychiatric and the dermatological diagnoses. The length of the admission to a psychiatric hospital does not seem to play a major role in skin diseases.

A study of skin disorders in patients with primary psychiatric conditions

Indian journal of dermatology, venereology and leprology

The skin occupies a powerful position as an organ of communication and plays an important role in socialization throughout life. The interface between dermatology and psychiatry is complex and of clinical importance. To document the incidence of cutaneous disorders in patients with primary psychiatric conditions. Three hundred patients with a primary psychiatric condition who had cutaneous disease were entered into the study group. The patients were classified appropriately based on the classification of psychocutaneous disorders. The control group included 300 patients presenting with a skin disorder and without any known psychiatric complaint. The majority of the cases in the study group were in the 3rd-5th decade. In this study, the most common primary psychiatric conditions were manic depressive psychosis (53.33%), depression (36.33%), schizophrenia (8.33%) and anxiety (2%). Of the study group, 68.66% patients had infective dermatoses and the rest had non-infective dermatoses. A...

Psychotropic Drugs and Skin: An Association

Background: Psychodermatology is an established branch of psychosomatics. The vast knowledge in the field of psychosomatics has also opened the door for the discussion of the dermatological side effects of psychotropic drugs. Various psychotropic drugs are found associated with skin side effects. In this review article, we highlighted some common psychotropic drugs that lead to skin damage. Method: Literature search in various databases and journals were conducted. practically responsible for skin eruptions and lesions like, rash, alopecia areata, angioneurotic edema, pityriasis-rosea like drug reaction, acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis, acne, giant urticaria, rash and desquamation, symmetrical drug-related intertriginous and flexural exanthema, photoallergic reactions. Conclusion: Almost all of these side-effects were reversible when the drug was discontinued or replaced. By studying the association of the side-effects of different psychotropic medications with the human skin, we concluded that more significance should be given to the patch-tests before prescribing any anti-psychotic drug so, that allergic reaction can be avoided. We suggest more study and searches on this subject to spread awareness among healthcare professionals and patients to produce even better-working antipsychotics medications in the coming future.

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...

Secondary psychiatric disorders and the skin

Dermatological Reviews, 2023

Background: Remarkable is the mind-skin connection, that lies in the profound impact that mental health can have on the skin and specific skin diseases on the mental health. This intricate relationship gives rise to a burgeoning field of study known as psychodermatology, which is a rapidly evolving field that explores the intricate relationship between dermatological conditions and psychological factors. Aims: In this article we summarize some of these diseases, as vitiligo, alopecia areata, psoriasis, acne vulgaris, albinism, rhinophyma, hidradenitis suppurative. Materials & Methods: We searched on databases like PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and analyzed scientific articles to summarize information needed for this review. We conducted qualitative content analysis to summarize the main results

The clinical significance of drug interactions between dermatological and psychoactive medications

Dermatologic Therapy, 2014

Dermatological disease is commonly associated with psychological morbidity because of its visible nature. The burden of living with a chronic dermatological illness can contribute to the development of psychiatric illness and conversely, such conditions can result in the exacerbation of preexisting dermatological disease. It may also reduce a patient's compliance to treatment, result in loss to follow-up and a decreased level of functioning and quality of life. In dermatological patients who suffer from psychiatric symptoms, medical management used in their treatment may have significant interactions with systemic medications used to treat their dermatological condition. A well-known example of this is lithium's ability to exacerbate psoriasis. Such interactions can result in suboptimal treatment of their psychiatric and/or dermatological condition. The present paper aimed to review the literature for documented interactions and the level of clinical significance between dermatological and psychoactive medications. Such information is clinically relevant to the practicing dermatologist in order to minimize adverse effects and drug-drug interactions in dermatological patients.

THE USE OF PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS IN DERMATOLOGY

Dermatologic Clinics - DERMATOL CLIN, 2000

In at least one third of dermatology patients, effective management of the skin condition involves consideration of the associated emotional and psychosocial factors.38 and 62 In certain dermatologic disorders, the placebo response is greater than 30%,5, 29 and 59 which confirms further the important role of psychosomatic factors in dermatology. Psychotropic drugs are an important part of the dermatologists' therapeutic armamentarium.24, 29 and 44 This article updates the possible dermatologic uses of the following major classes of psychotropic agents: (1) the antianxiety and hypnotic agents (see Tables 4 and 5), (2) the antidepressants (see Tables 6 and 7), and (3) the antipsychotic agents (see Tables 8 and 9). The specific guidelines, side-effect profile, drug– drug interactions, and most current indications 56 always should be obtained for any particular psychotropic agent before it is prescribed.When considering the use of psychotropic agents in dermatology, two major factors should be considered: (1) proper diagnosis of the psychiatric disorder and (2) determination of the existence of proper indications for use of psychotropic agents. When assessing for possible psychiatric comorbidity, the dermatologist should consider the two major classifications in psychodermatology24, 43, 44 and 47: (1) cutaneous associations of psychiatric disorders (see Table 1) and (2) the psychiatric aspects of dermatologic disorders (see Table 2). When the presence of psychiatric comorbidity is established, psychotropic agents may not be the primary treatment of choice because other treatment modalities, such as psychotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy, may be a more effective or appropriate form of treatment. In some instances, psychotropic agents are used in dermatology because some of their properties are beneficial in primary dermatologic disorders, independent of psychiatric comorbidity, such as the use of the antidepressant doxepin in the treatment of urticaria because of its strongly antihistaminic properties.56 Few studies have examined the use of psychotropic agents in dermatologic disorders in the absence of psychiatric comorbidity,2 and this potentially important area of psychodermatology requires more systematic study. Massage therapy64 may be of benefit in conjunction with psychotropic agents.

A STUDY OF CUTANEOUS MANIFESTATIONS OF PATIENTS WITH PSYCHIATRIC DISORDER

Skin is an organ that has a primary function of tactile receptivity and reacts to both external and internal emotional stimuli. Dermatological practice certainly embeds a psychosomatic dimension. A relationship between psychological factors and skin diseases has long been hypothesized. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The aim of present study is to evaluate the prevalence of cutaneous manifestations in patients with psychiatric disorder. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty five psychiatric in-patients admitted in the psychiatry ward of a Tertiary Care Hospital were examined for the presence of cutaneous manifestation over a period of 6 months. Appropriate laboratory investigations such as scraping for Acarus, skin biopsy etc. were performed wherever required. The observations were noted. RESULTS The commonest cutaneous manifestations seen in this study were (i) Parasitic infestations like scabies (20%), pediculosis capitis (16%), (ii) Xerosis (28 %), (iii) Prurigo nodularis (4%), (iv) Lichen simplex chronicus (4%), (v) Venereophobia (4%) and (vi) Delusion of parasitosis (4%). CONCLUSION A high incidence of parasitic infestations was noted in our study. The healthcare personnel should be sensitized on the significance of such parasitic infestations in institutionalized patients and the importance of early detection and treatment.