Alcohol consumption and psychological distress in patients with psoriasis

Abstract

Background Psoriasis has been associated with excessive alcohol consumption and psychological distress. Objectives To investigate the level of alcohol use in a psoriasis population and to determine whether alcohol consumption is linked to psychological distress in patients with psoriasis. Methods Ninety‐five patients with chronic plaque psoriasis completed validated questionnaires designed to assess psychological distress, current and past alcohol consumption and self‐reported physical severity of psoriasis. Results Using different measures of alcohol consumption, between 17% and 30% of patients were classified as having difficulties with alcohol. Thirteen per cent and 18% of patients with psoriasis believed that they had a current or past drinking problem, respectively. There was a modest but significant association between levels of anxiety and depression and weekly alcohol consumption (r = 0·29, P < 0·01 and r = 0·24, P = 0·03, respectively). Those patients who believed that they had an alcohol problem had higher levels of anxiety (P = 0·03), depression (P < 0·01) and psoriasis‐associated disability (P = 0·04). There was a modest but significant association between physical severity of psoriasis and weekly alcohol consumption (r = 0·27, P = 0·02). Conclusions A significant minority of patients with psoriasis consumes excessive alcohol. Patients with psoriasis should be assessed for excessive alcohol use and appropriate interventions initiated. Further studies are required to investigate whether such interventions are effective in combating alcohol abuse and in improving the psychological and physical aspects of psoriasis.