Measuring the effects of psoriasis on quality of life

There is no doubt that psoriasis can have adverse physical, social and psychological effects on an individual’s quality of life (QoL). This has been demonstrated in a variety of studies that have employed an array of different qualitative and quantitative measures. The most effective method of measuring the impact of psoriasis on QoL will depend on the circumstances of the patient or study being considered. In most cases, it is best to use validated health-related QoL questionnaires. This has the potential to allow for more accurate comparisons to be made between patients, studies or populations, or comparisons in the same patient before and after interventions or over a period of time. This article reviews the studies and instruments that have examined the effects of psoriasis on QoL in the hope that this will improve our understanding of what is still a relatively new field in dermatology.