# Shame‐related disorders in patients with atopic dermatitis and psoriasis – An exploratory, cross‐sectional interview study on the prevalence and correlates of body dysmorphic disorder and social anxiety disorder

## TL;DR

This study explores how common shame-related disorders like body dysmorphic disorder and social anxiety disorder are in people with atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.

## Contribution

The study is the first to explore the prevalence of body dysmorphic disorder and social anxiety disorder in patients with atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.

## Key findings

- Shame-related disorders were found in 17.2% of patients at a given time and 31.8% over their lifetime.
- Body dysmorphic disorder and social anxiety disorder were equally common in patients with atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.
- Patients with shame-related disorders had lower quality of life scores.

## Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis (Pso) are frequently associated with psychological distress. This study evaluated the prevalence and correlates of shame‐related disorders (SRD), namely body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and social anxiety disorder (SAD), in patients with AD and Pso.

A monocentric, cross‐sectional study was conducted in adult patients from 07/2023 to 03/2024. A trained clinical psychologist assessed subjects for BDD and SAD. Additionally, subjects completed the DLQI. Objective severity of their disease was physician‐rated using the EASI or PASI.

One hundred and fifty‐one patients were included, n = 55 (36.4%) with AD and n = 96 (63.6%) with Pso. Among all study participants, the point and lifetime prevalence of SRD was 17.2% and 31.8%, respectively. Point and lifetime prevalence for BDD was 10.6% and 26.5%, and for SAD 12.6% and 17.2%. There were no differences in the point or lifetime prevalence of BDD or SAD between patients with AD or Pso. SRD were associated with younger age and female sex. DLQI was significantly reduced in those suffering from SRD.

Our results indicate that SRD are prevalent in AD and Pso and should therefore be further investigated for their use in routine clinical practice.