Psychiatric morbidity in dermatological outpatients:an issue to be recognized

Objective The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression in the patients suffering from skin disorders. Patients and methods Two hundred consecutive patients attending out-patient Department of Dermatology, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, were studied. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Urdu version was administered to each patient after taking informed consent, as this scale was designed specifically for use in non-psychiatric hospital departments. A personal information sheet was also completed for the total sample of 200 patients. Results Among them 36.5% were males and 63.5% were females, with a majority in the age range of 16-30 years. 20% cases of depression and 28% cases of anxiety were found in the total sample, using cut off point as 11 or more on HAD Scale. High scores were associated with conditions like acne, psoriasis, eczema, all tending to be extensive, chronic and disfiguring and easily visible. The association between sex, marital status, employment status and caseness is discussed. Conclusion There is a high rate of psychological problems in dermatological out-patients suffering from chronic and disfiguring skin conditions.