Psychiatric comorbidity and temperament‐character traits of the patients with lichen simplex chronicus: The relation with the symptom severity of the disease

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate psychiatric comorbidity, temperament and character traits, depression and anxiety levels, and their relation with symptom severity in patients with lichen simplex chronicus (LSC). About 50 patients with LSC were enrolled in the study along with 49 controls. The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5), Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were administered to all subjects for psychiatric assessment. Skindex-16 symptom scale was performed for assessing the symptom severity of LSC. LSC group were showing an incidence of 62% in terms of psychiatric comorbidity and 14% of them had two psychiatric diagnoses. The most common psychiatric disorders were major depressive disorder (32%), dysthymia (18%), and generalized anxiety disorder (12%). LSC group had significantly higher mean BDI (18.60 ± 11.77 vs 7.40 ± 4.90) and BAI scores (18.56 ± 13.75 vs 5.18 ± 5.34) than the control group. Patients with LSC displayed higher scores in Harm Avoidance Dimension (19.74 ± 5.18 vs 15.00 ± 5.13) of temperament and regarding character dimensions, they had lower scores in self-directedness (25.52 ± 6.69 vs 29.51 ± 5.54). When analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was performed while BDI and BAI scores were taken as covariates cooperativeness became significantly higher in the LSC group. Patients with LSC had a high incidence of psychiatric comorbidity, significantly higher depression and anxiety levels, and differed from control group in terms of TCI profile and these conditions were related to symptom severity of the LSC. Comorbid psychiatric conditions and personality traits should be considered as crucial factors for the effective treatment of LSC.

A review of psychocutaneous disorders from a psychotherapeutic perspective—Toolkit for the dermatologist

“…This disorder is heavily documented with psychiatric comorbidities. The most common comorbidities include depressive disorders, especially major depression and dysthymic disorder; anxiety disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, substance use disorder, psychotic disorders, dissociative disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, conduct disorder, and impulse‐control disorders 16–18 . The psychiatric treatment revolves around treating the psychiatric comorbidities.…”

“…The most common comorbidities include depressive disorders, especially major depression and dysthymic disorder; anxiety disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, substance use disorder, psychotic disorders, dissociative disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, conduct disorder, and impulse‐control disorders. 16 , 17 , 18 The psychiatric treatment revolves around treating the psychiatric comorbidities. Psychotherapy, especially CBT, and supplemental therapies such as yoga, meditation, mindfulness, aerobic exercise, relaxation techniques, journaling, hypnosis, acupuncture, and biofeedback may be helpful.…”

More than a skin disease: stress, depression, anxiety levels, and serum neurotrophins in lichen simplex chronicus

“… 20 Yalçın et al found that 62% of 50 LSC patients had at least one psychiatric comorbidity, mostly major depressive disorder (32%), dysthymia (18%), and generalized anxiety disorder (12%). 21 Halvorsen et al stated that itch is a greater risk factor for psychological problems compared to chronic eczema without itch. 22 …”

A rare case of lichen simplex chronicus in an adolescent female successfully managed with Crisaborole

“…LSC can occur secondary to other cutaneous conditions or present as a primary disorder, which is frequently associated with psychological stressors. 1,2 It most commonly occurs in females during middle to late adulthood and is seldom observed in pediatric populations. 3 A 15-year-old Caucasian female presented to our pediatric clinic for a well-child visit.…”