Sex‐ and gender‐associated clinical and psychosocial characteristics of patients with psoriasis

Abstract

Background. Sex and gender may affect disease prevalence, adverse effects and response to therapy. Aim. To analyse sex and gender differences in outpatients with psoriasis. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted at IDI-IRCCS, Rome, over a 3-year period. In total, 3023 patients with psoriasis were enrolled. Anthropometric and demographic characteristics were recorded, and a dermatologist evaluated the clinical severity of disease. Quality of life (QoL) questionnaires were collected. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to examine factors associated with sex. Results. We found sex-and gender-associated differences in clinical characteristics, disease severity, psychological distress and quality of life. Male sex was associated with body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, Psoriasis Area Severity Index ≥ 10 and age at onset ≥ 20 years. Female sex was associated with family history of diabetes, joint involvement, clinical type other than diffuse plaque psoriasis, higher psychological distress and a greater effect on QoL. Conclusion.Our study identified sex and gender differences of potential clinical relevance in psoriasis.

Epidemiological Variations in the Global Burden of Psoriasis, an Analysis With Trends From 1990 to 2017

“…Moreover, linear regression analysis demonstrated that gender inequality showed a slight inclination to countries with higher socioeconomic status. Usually, females suffered a more significant physical and psychosocial impact of psoriasis on life quality than males (14)(15)(16). Researches showed that even though the clinical manifestations were lighter than in males, females bore more significant psychological distress and a higher probability of anxiety or depression (14).…”

“…Usually, females suffered a more significant physical and psychosocial impact of psoriasis on life quality than males (14)(15)(16). Researches showed that even though the clinical manifestations were lighter than in males, females bore more significant psychological distress and a higher probability of anxiety or depression (14). Among psoriasis patients, females may be more prone to perceive stress and may be more likely to perceive a more significant mental impact.…”

Describing the burden of the COVID-19 pandemic in people with psoriasis: findings from a global cross-sectional study

“…Although male gender is an established risk factor for severe COVID-19, females may be more susceptible to indirect excess morbidity from the pandemic. Further investigation into sex-specific variation in clinical manifestations of mental health disorders, likelihood of reporting worsening psoriasis, differences in baseline severity and responses to systemic therapy is thus warranted 22,23 .…”

Psychometric Validation of the Psoriasis Symptoms and Impacts Measure (P-SIM), a Novel Patient-Reported Outcome Instrument for Patients with Plaque Psoriasis, Using Data from the BE VIVID and BE READY Phase 3 Trials

“…A large proportion of the 1002 patients enrolled in the phase 3 BE VIVID and BE READY trials were male (71.8%) and white (82.1%). It has been suggested that male patients generally have greater severity of psoriasis [35], leading to a greater proportion being included in the trials; however, another study has indicated that female patients experience greater impact on their quality of life [36], and the vast majority of clinical trials exclude pregnant women, meaning that they do not appear in true proportion [37]. Additionally, while the majority of patients in the general moderate to severe psoriasis disease population are white, this study Fig.…”