Patients' illness perceptions and coping as predictors of functional status in psoriasis: a 1-year follow-up

In a longitudinal study (two measurements with a I-year interval), 69 patie nts with psoriasis completed the Illness Perception Questionnaire, the Medi cal Outcomes Study SF-20 Health Survey, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depres sion Scale. Data on coping (Utrecht Coping List) and severity of illness (b ody surface scores) were also collected, The results of regression analyses indicated that a strong illness identity was associated with more visits t o the outpatient clinic, and worse outcome on physical health, social funct ioning, mental health, hearth perceptions and depression. Strong beliefs th at the disease is controllable/curable and that the disease has disabling c onsequences were also related to more clinic visits and more negative perce ived health, respectively Patients who initially engaged in coping characte rized by more expression of emotions, seeking more social support, seeking more distraction, and less passive coping were prescribed a lower number of different therapies, were less anxious, less depressed, and had a better p hysical health 1 year later. These results have implications for the manage ment of patients with psoriasis, which reinforces current views on integrat ing psychosocial aspects into clinical care.