Abstract

Background: Patients’ self-awareness grows under the influence of dermatological disorders in their early stages of development, and this can alter both self-perception and behaviour toward others. Objective: This study aimed to analysis dermatology’s impact on the psychological status of patients. Patients and methods: Clinical data was collected on 65 patients suffering from skin diseases from different hospitals in Iraq, whose ages were between 15 and 40 years. We recorded the measurements carried out on patients to determine the degree of prevalence of skin diseases in patients and the extent of their impact on the quality of life and psychological state of patients. Results: The study included patients over the age of 35 to 40, with 30 cases in total. There were more male patients than female patients, with 48 cases and 17 cases, respectively. The prevalence of comorbidities was 30.77%, with the most common diseases being hypertension (23.08%) and diabetes (15.38%). The smoking status of the patients was also recorded, with 40% of them being smokers. Furthermore, the findings revealed that the most prevalent symptoms among the patients were inflammation (76.92%), itching or irritation (61.54%), and fluid-filled blisters (50.77%). Additionally, the severity levels of the skin disorders were classified as mild (12 cases), moderate (23 cases), and severe (30 cases). In terms of the post-intervention phase assessment, the self-esteem of patients was evaluated. The results indicated that eight patients (12.31%) strongly disagreed, ten patients (15.38%) disagreed, 20 patients (30.77%) agreed, and 27 patients (41.54%) strongly agreed. Additionally, social support was evaluated, with 6 cases classified as mild, 20 cases classified as moderate, and 39 cases classified as severe. Furthermore, the impact of skin disorders on quality of life was assessed, with the most significant impact observed in the domains of symptoms and feelings (24.32 ± 4.80) and work and school (26.65 ± 2.49). Conclusions: The study has demonstrated that acne, psoriasis, and eczema have a negative impact on the self-esteem and perceived social support of dermatological patients, particularly those with visible localisation. This can result in complex mental effects and require comprehensive treatment strategies, especially for those with visible skin disorders.