Illness perception of patients with pemphigus vulgaris

Abstract

Objective Little is known about illness perception in patients with pemphigus vulgaris (PV). We designed a cross-sectional study to clarify the beliefs about PV. Methods A total of 100 patients with PV (45 men, 55 women) completed the Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised to assess beliefs about seven aspects of illness perception, including chronicity, recurrence, consequences, self and medicine role in controlling illness, coherence, and emotional representation. The relationship between illness perception and clinical and demographic variables was evaluated. Results Patients viewed PV as a chronic and cyclical disease with important impression on their life and emotions. Patients had a good understanding of the disease and supposed an acceptable role for themselves and medical treatment. Interestingly, the clinical subtype and severity of the disease did not influence any aspect of illness perception, but some differences on the basis of demographic data were demonstrated. Conclusion Our patients had a relatively good understanding of their illness and a correct perception about chronicity and the cyclical identity of illness. The patients believed that their life and emotions had been strongly influenced by the disease but were hopeful for a cure. Because correction of misconceptions about a disease may improve treatment outcomes, an assessment of patients' illness perception may be useful to try and modify perception.

Illness perception in patients with Alopecia areata under topical immunotherapy

“…Our study revealed that AA patients assumed the causes of their diseases as stress, altered immunity, emotional conditions, family problems, mental attitude, and own behavior. Stress was the most common risk factor of AA according to our patient's idea, similar to reports of prior studies about illness insight on skin diseases such as vitiligo, acne, and PV 16‐18 . Firooz et al 14 explained that stress played a role in the onset of AA in 76.9% of patients, but Brajac et al 19 did not demonstrate a significant role of stress at the beginning of AA.…”

“…Stress was the most common risk factor of AA according to our patient's idea, similar to reports of prior studies about illness insight on skin diseases such as vitiligo, acne, and PV. [16][17][18] Firooz et al 14 Studies that examined patients' beliefs and changes following the information provided showed that this intervention could increase patients' awareness and sense of control over the disease without increasing anxiety. 22 The severity of AA, duration of illness, previous psychiatric disorders, and being women were associated with a lower quality of life and requiring careful attention.…”

“…Stress was the most common risk factor of AA according to our patient's idea, similar to reports of prior studies about illness insight on skin diseases such as vitiligo, acne, and PV. [16][17][18] Firooz et al 14 explained that stress played a role in the onset of AA in 76.9% of patients, but Brajac et al 19 did not demonstrate a significant role of stress at the beginning of AA.…”

What Does It Mean To Be Pemphigus Patient? A Qualitative Study

“…A previous study found a strong relationship between the low quality of life of individuals with PV and psychiatric morbidity (Paradisi et al, 2012). An individual's perception of the disease may affect their psychosocial responses and compliance with PV treatment (Nasimi et al, 2019).…”

“…t has also been shown that patients with higher education levels exhibit more effective control over their diseases. A study by Nasimi et al (2019) determined that female patients were more emotionally affected than male patients. The patients stated that they held these causes responsible for the diseases; stress (89%), family problems (72%), altered immunity (64%), emotional condition (56%), personal behavior (54%), mental attitude (50%), environmental pollution (47%), dietary habits (40%), overwork (39%), personality (34%), history of poor medical care (26%), and smoking (12%) (Nasimi et al, 2019).…”