A spectrum of cutaneous manifestations of CKG with a wide variety of unusual presentations with confirmed serological and histopathological evidence was encountered.

Several studies have demonstrated a direct link between psoriasis, stress and psychiatric comorbidity. We assessed the effect of relaxation therapy on psoriasis severity, quality of life, stress level and psychiatric comorbidity. Patients were assessed for stress, anxiety, depression, quality of life and severity of disease, using standard instruments. Patients were divided into two as cases and pair matched controls. The first group was given relaxation therapy in addition to the standard dermatology treatment and the second group was given only the standard dermatology treatment. The patients were followed up on first week, second week, first month and second month. Twenty one out of 30 cases (70%) achieved PASI 50 at the end of 2 months. While only 4 out of 30 (13.3%) of the control group achieved the same at the end of the study. There was statistically significant difference between cases and controls in PASI, DLQI, HADS scores with a P value of .000 each at the end of the study. But there was no statistically significant difference in perceived stress score between cases and controls. Psoriasis has significant impact in the quality of life and psychiatric comorbidity. Psychological interventions like relaxation therapy can decrease disease severity and improve quality of life.

This study was aimed to survey the awareness, knowledge, practicing patterns, and attitudes of dermatologists toward psychocutaneous disorders in a South Indian State. The questionnaire-based study was performed from August 1 to October 31, 2019. Study participants included 123 dermatologists. The questionnaire consisted of nine multiple-choice questions and two open-ended questions regarding knowledge, practicing patterns, and attitude to psychodermatology. Forty five (36.6%) dermatologists completed this online survey. Out of them 73% were women and 40% were trainees. Nine respondents (20%) had frequent experience with psychodermatology, but only 6 (13.3%) were very comfortable in diagnosing and treating psychodermatology patients. Vitiligo was the disease with maximum respondents reported encountering >10 patients monthly with psychologic co morbidities (30, 66.7%). The most common diagnoses which required psychiatric referral were delusion of parasitosis (22.2%), trichotillomania (20%) and neurodermatitis (8.9%). Thirty six respondents (80%) were unaware of any patient or family resources on psychodermatology. Thirty-nine respondents (86.7%) expressed interest in attending educational events on psychodermatology. Survey results showed high need of liaison clinics of dermatology and psychiatry. Many dermatologists lack proper training in treating psychodermatology cases while they may be the sole service provider to the patients. We propose incorporation of psychodermatology curriculum in residency training programs.

Understanding the etiological factors, stress and quality of life have important implications in the management. There is dearth of the literature in this subject, assessing the stress levels in hand eczema and disparities exist in results of the available literature. Primary objective of this study is to assess the clinico-etiological factors in cases of hand eczema. The secondary objectives include to find any correlation between

We aimed to determine the prevalence of psychiatric morbidities, stress and quality of life, the pattern of skin diseases and associated psychosocial factors in geriatric population. Patients aged 60 years and older were recruited. Demographics and dermatological history and findings were collected using a preset Proforma. Geriatric depression scale (GDS), hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS), perceived stress scale (PSS), and dermatology life quality index (DLQI) were instituted in all the patients. A total of 310 patients were included in the study, 173 males and 137 females. Infectious diseases (39.6%), papulosquamous diseases (17.1%), and eczema (15.5%) were common disorders. 45.5% were depressed and 43.2% had anxiety (hospital anxiety and depression scale). 55.8% had depression (geriatric depression rating scale), 20.3% had high stress and 11% had extremely large effect on DLQI. Divorced/widowed patients experienced more depression (p = 0.037) and had more impairment in quality of life (p = 0.05). Patients living in three generation family experienced more impairment in quality of life (p = 0.000). Our study demonstrated high prevalence of psychiatric morbidities in geriatric dermatology patients. It implies the need of special care with more attention to psychiatric co morbidities. The role of psychiatry-dermatology liaison clinic may benefit these patients.