Always Online? Internet Addiction and Social Impairment in Psoriasis across Germany

Abstract

With the World Health Organization (WHO) demanding further investigation of the social impairment and psychosocial burden of psoriasis, a first study identified a high prevalence of Internet addiction. The aim of this study was to assess social impairment and estimate the occurrence of Internet addiction along with depression, cigarette smoking, and alcohol dependency in individuals with psoriasis recruited online in a people-centered care approach. A cross-sectional online survey was carried out across Germany between March 2019 and June 2019. The questionnaire contained information on social impairment, smoking habits, as well as validated questionnaires on Internet addiction, depression, and alcohol dependency. Overall, 460 individuals (62.4% female; mean age: 45.9 ± 13.7 years) with psoriasis were included. Of those, 406 (88.3%) stated to be at least rarely socially impaired. The positive screening rate for Internet addiction was 8.5%. Furthermore, 40.0% had positive screenings for depression, 17.1% for alcohol dependency, and 32.6% for daily smoking. Positive screenings for Internet addiction and alcohol dependency were substantially more frequent in individuals with psoriasis than in the German general population. In order to meet the demands of the WHO, Internet addiction could be considered as a potential comorbidity in psoriasis and a focus on people-centered care is advisable for further research.

People‐centered care for psoriasis and urticaria: Are we overlooking Internet addiction while only considering patients and physician settings?

“…The study results, however, not only indicated a higher rate of Internet addiction in comparison to the general population, but also in comparison with two previous studies among people with psoriasis. For example, in a study among individuals with psoriasis reached via online self‐help groups the reported prevalence was 8.5% 12 and in a study among psoriasis patients recruited offline, in clinics and dermatological offices, the prevalence was 3.8% 11 . Therefore, the way affected individuals are reached seems to be essential for the frequency of positive screenings for Internet addiction.…”

“…[8][9][10] First studies indicated that psoriasis is potentially associated with other addictive behaviors such as Internet addiction. 11,12 As Internet addiction represents a rapidly rising phenomenon of societies worldwide, the fifth edition of…”

“…For example, studies demonstrated that psoriasis patients showed an addictive behavior regarding cigarettes and alcohol 8–10 . First studies indicated that psoriasis is potentially associated with other addictive behaviors such as Internet addiction 11,12 . As Internet addiction represents a rapidly rising phenomenon of societies worldwide, the fifth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders mentioned it as the most potent problem needing further research.…”

Association between Urban Upbringing and Compulsive Internet Use in Japan: A Cross-Sectional, Multilevel Study with Retrospective Recall

“…In addition, internet access or connection speed might have been other covariates to explain the association between urban upbringing and CIU. Furthermore, chronic diseases such as psoriasis, which causes social impairment and a psychosocial burden might be confounders [ 35 ]. Fourth, a type 2 error may have happened because the number of people with severe CIU was a small percentage of the total sample size.…”

Mutual Relationship Between Sleep Disorders, Quality of Life and Psychosocial Aspects in Patients With Psoriasis

“…All of these factors taken altogether lead to social deterioration or the inability to start a family or cause the already existing family system to fall apart. It is well-reported that psoriatic patients have a lower ability to function in everyday life and create social bonds and have a disturbed sexual life ( 38 , 61 ). The impact of psoriasis on everyday existence is dependent on sex and age.…”