Psoriasis and Emotions Questionnaire v1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Disgust processing in psoriasis patients and implications for quality of life – a questionnaire study
IRAS ID
219009
Contact name
Susan F Moschogianis
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 28 days
Research summary
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterised by patches of red, flaky skin. Poorly recognised by health professionals and the wider public alike, it is much more than a simple skin condition and can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life. It is estimated that 2% of the population suffer from psoriasis, and the major physical and psychological morbidity of this incurable disease places great demands on the National Health Service (NHS). It has been shown that psoriasis may have a substantial negative impact on an individuals’ quality of life (QOL), comparable to that of other major conditions including cancer and heart disease.
As psoriasis is a visible condition, individuals living with psoriasis have to deal with not only their own emotional response to the disease, but also the responses of others. Patients commonly experience stigmatisation and report negative reactions from others including facial expressions of disgust.
Our group have previously shown using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) that patients with psoriasis have an attenuated response in the brain to facial expressions of disgust which may represent a coping mechanism, employed by patients to 'block out' stressful emotional responses.
Although disgust responses may be particularly relevant to patients living with visible dermatological conditions, including psoriasis, differential disgust responses has not yet been investigated in this patient group. This study aims to further understanding of how psoriasis patients process different facets of disgust, and to explore the relationship between disgust process and how patients cope with their condition. This could signpost to new emotion-based psychological interventions and may identify those patients at an increased risk for psychosocial disability.REC name
London - Fulham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/0636
Date of REC Opinion
27 Apr 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion