Classification of psychodermatological disorders: Proposal of a new international classification.

INTRODUCTION: Several classifications of psychodermatology disorders have been proposed, with most of them based on two to four main disorder category groups. However, there is, to date, no classification that has resulted from a consensus established by psychodermatology experts. The DSM-5-TR (Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.), Text Revision) and the ICD-11 (International classification of diseases (11th revision)) also do not provide a systematized approach of psychodermatology disorders. Taking into consideration that classifications are a key pillar for a comprehensive approach to the pathologies of each branch of medicine, the proposal of a classification in psychodermatology appeared as a central need for the recognition of psychodermatological disorders, in an attempt to improve their recognition and, in that sense, to find a common language for the development of this subspecialty that crosses dermatology and psychiatry. METHODS: Previously published classifications in psychodermatology were critically reviewed and discussed by expert opinion from an international multidisciplinary panel of 16 experts in psychodermatology and a new classification system is proposed, considering classical concepts in general dermatology and psychopathology. RESULTS: Two main categories of disorders are presented (a main group related to primary mental health disorders and another main group related to primary skin disorders), which are subsequently subdivided into subgroups considering pathophysiological and phenomenological similarities, including key aspects of dermatological examination, namely the presence of visible skin lesions (primary and secondary skin lesions) and psychopathological correlates. CONCLUSION: This new classification aims to unify previous classifications, systematize the disorders that belong to psychodermatology and highlight their tenuous boundaries, to improve their management. It has been built and approved by the Psychodermatology Task Force of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV), the European Society for Dermatology and Psychiatry (ESDaP) and the Association for Psychoneurocutaneous Medicine of North America (APMNA).

Psychocutaneous Medicine Clinic: Wisconsin Experience.

BACKGROUND: Psychocutaneous medicine, also known as psychodermatology, is a subspecialty of dermatology and psychiatry that explores the interactions between the skin and the brain. For many patients, skin disease affects their quality of life and mental well-being. For others, psychiatric problems exhibit skin signs. OBJECTIVE: Little data are available from psychocutaneous clinics worldwide. The aim of our review is to advance clinical knowledge about psychocutaneous medicine and help bridge the current gap between dermatology and psychiatry. METHODS: A total of 808 cases referred to our psychocutaneous clinic from 2002 to 2018 were reviewed. A specific code in the electronic health records allowed us to identify these patients. All the patients referred to the clinic were included in the study. The primary variable of interest was the patient's final diagnosis, as made by the psychiatrist. Patient demographics (age, sex, marital status), number of visits, and treatments were collected. RESULTS: Our data showed a high prevalence of skin picking disorder followed by depressive and anxiety disorders. Serious mental health disorders such as major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder were common in our patients. Three-fourth of our patients were women. Skin picking was more prevalent in women, and alcohol dependence was more prevalent in men. No other significant gender differences in final diagnoses were found. 44.2% of patients needed one visit and were able to return to referring physicians for follow up. CONCLUSION: This is the largest collection of patients from a psychocutaneous clinic in the literature to date. Previous studies show that psychocutaneous clinics save health care dollars by decreasing the number of patient visits and improving the quality of life of patients with dermatologic problems. Introducing the results of this clinic could inform future integration of psychocutaneous clinics in dermatology practices and identify areas of need in training dermatology and psychiatry residents.

Insomnia and other sleep complaints in inflammatory versus noninflammatory skin disorders: An observational case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Sleep problems are common in patients with dermatologic disorders. However, it is unknown whether inflammatory skin disorders are associated with more sleep problems than noninflammatory skin disorders. PURPOSE: To determine whether sleep problems occur more frequently in people with inflammatory skin disorders compared to noninflammatory skin disorders. STUDY DESIGN: Observational case-control study. METHODS: Patients with inflammatory skin disorders (psoriasis [n = 17] and chronic eczema [n = 30]) and noninflammatory skin disorders (nonmelanoma skin cancers [NMSC] [n = 31]) were enrolled. Data collection occurred during a single visit. Statistical analysis of questionnaire results between groups utilized inverse propensity score weighted (IPSW) ANOVA and logistic regression models. RESULTS: Groups differed in mean (SD) age (P < 0.001) and itch severity (P < 0.001). Based on IPSW ANOVA models, the inflammatory group had significantly higher fatigue scores (mean [95% CI]; 32.0 [28.4-35.5]) than the noninflammatory group (25.5 [21.6-29.3]; P = 0.017). The inflammatory group odds of insomnia were significantly greater based on two definitions of insomnia, ISI ≥ 15 and PSSQ-I, with odds ratios (95% CI) of 14.4 (2.16-525) and 4.82 (1.45-20.7), respectively. These results were consistent in comparisons between the three groups, with no difference between psoriasis and chronic eczema, but with chronic eczema, significantly more were affected than NMSC. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with inflammatory skin disorders report significantly more fatigue and have higher odds of insomnia compared to patients with noninflammatory skin cancers.

Treating patients with delusions of parasitosis: a blueprint for clinicians.

Dermatologists often inquire how to approach a patient with delusions of parasitosis. Avoiding negative countertransference and developing a therapeutic alliance with the patient are key steps for dermatologists. Even though each case is unique, this article serves as a blueprint for clinicians on how to approach and treat these patients.

Needs assessment survey of psychocutaneous medicine.

BACKGROUND: Psychocutaneous medicine studies the boundaries between skin and mind, and takes the unique approach of examining the patients in their biopsychosocial context. It can help patients with chronic skin problems cope with anxiety and the social stigma of their disease. Decreased psychologic stress can contribute to better treatment outcomes and be an important key to patient care. In addition, some primary psychiatric disorders may be expressed in the skin, such as delusions of parasitosis. A psychocutaneous specialist is well placed to treat these disorders. METHODS: To assess the need for psychocutaneous medicine in dermatology, eighty-five attendees of the Wisconsin Dermatological Society (WDS) meeting were asked to complete a needs assessment survey. RESULTS: Forty-two percent of respondents felt that 30% of their patients would benefit from psychiatric interventions. In addition, 43% of respondents did not routinely inquire about mental health issues. When they did recognize psychiatric needs in a patient, 83% of responders did not feel comfortable prescribing psychotropic medications. CONCLUSION: Our data showed that about one-half of the members of WDS attending the meeting believed that a high percentage of their patients would benefit from psychocutaneous intervention. Moreover, it was found that the training during medical school and dermatology residency was insufficient for professionals to confidently prescribe psychotropic medications. Considering the fact that studies have shown psychiatric comorbidity in 30% of dermatologic diseases, and that many of the respondents who felt that their patients would not benefit from psychocutaneous intervention did not inquire about psychologic effects of skin disease in their patients, we conclude that psychocutaneous medicine is an under-recognized field in dermatology. Further evaluation of the demand for psychocutaneous clinics and their integration into daily dermatologic practices and residency training programs is needed.

Prevalence of mood and sleep problems in chronic skin diseases: a pilot study.

The relationship between chronic skin problems and mood and sleep disorders merits more attention. Mood and sleep problems add to comorbidity of chronic skin diseases and affect patient compliance with dermatologic treatment. A pilot study was conducted to determine the prevalence of mood and sleep problems in participants with chronic skin diseases in outpatient dermatology clinics at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, using 4 self-assessment questionnaires. Study participants included willing adults with any skin problem of at least 6 months' duration. The participants were asked to complete the questionnaires, which included Current Life Functioning, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), and Beck Anxiety Inventory. In summary, 15 of 16 participants had poor sleep quality. Six participants had poor sleep quality without any mood problems (depression or anxiety). Mood problems worsened the quality of sleep and functioning. Nine of 16 participants (56.25%) reported mood problems (depression or anxiety). The results show a high prevalence of depression and anxiety and a very high prevalence of poor sleep quality. Considering the negative effect of comorbid psychiatric and sleep problems on treatment and prognosis of chronic skin diseases, this study demonstrates the need for further evaluation and eventual screening of all patients with chronic skin diseases for mood and sleep problems.