Genital Psoriasis in Asians: Impact on Quality of Life and Sexual Health.

The study population was predominantly male with moderately impaired quality of life as measured by DLQI.

• A total of 62 adult Asian psoriasis patients participated in the observational study at a tertiary dermatology centre in Singapore over 1 year.
• Most participants were male (82.3%) with a mean age of 41.7 years (SD 12.5).
• The mean DLQI score was 9.8 (SD 6.7), indicating moderately impaired QOL.
• The mean PASI score was 7.0 (SD 4.3).

Higher PASI scores were significantly associated with greater quality of life impairment as measured by DLQI.

• The association between PASI scores and DLQI scores was statistically significant (p = 0.021).
• This relationship was identified through clinical examination of whole-body surface combined with questionnaire administration.
• Both PASI and DLQI were used as standardized, validated measures of disease severity and QOL respectively.

The suprapubic region was the most commonly involved genital site among participants.

• The suprapubic region was involved in 61.3% of participants.
• Clinical examination paid particular attention to the genitalia as part of the whole-body surface assessment.
• The study focused on patients attending psoriasis subspecialty clinics, which may represent a more severe or treatment-seeking population.

Males with genital psoriasis that prevented sexual intercourse or diminished libido reported more sexual dysfunction.

• Sexual dysfunction was specifically associated with genital psoriasis preventing sexual intercourse or diminishing libido in male participants.
• Psychosexual health was evaluated using dedicated questionnaires administered to all participants.
• The study population was 82.3% male, providing a larger male sample for these observations.

Females reported greater severity impact of genital psoriasis in terms of symptoms and embarrassment but were less likely to be on treatment.

• The difference in reported severity impact between females and males was statistically significant (p = 0.038).
• Despite greater reported symptom severity and embarrassment, only 37.5% of females were on treatment compared to 45.0% of males.
• This disparity suggests potential under-recognition and undertreatment of genital psoriasis in female patients.

Younger patients with genital psoriasis fared significantly worse on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 depression measure.

• The association between younger age and worse PHQ-9 scores was statistically significant (p = 0.047).
• The PHQ-9 was administered as part of the psychosexual health questionnaire battery.
• This finding highlights a particular mental health vulnerability among younger psoriasis patients with genital involvement.

Perceived efficacy of treatment for genital psoriasis was reported to be low among participants.

• Low perceived treatment efficacy was noted as a finding across the study population.
• This was assessed through questionnaires administered to study participants.
• The authors note that patients may be reluctant to discuss genital rashes if not prompted, contributing to under-recognition and undertreatment.