Beyond the burn: psychosocial factors as well as inflammation moderate depression in psoriasis

We read with interest Dr Koo and colleagues' recent review examining depression and other psychological symptoms in patients affected by psoriasis.¹ Psychological symptoms have a disproportionate effect upon patients with psoriasis, and depression remains an area of unmet need in this patient group.² The authors focused upon the cytokine hypothesis of depression – an area of growing interest in this patient group, but relatively little consideration was given to other psychosocial factors which may also have a contributory effect. We believe that such psychosocial factors warrant additional attention and would contend that consideration of these is necessary if patients are to receive patient-centred and holistic care.

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