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The International Psoriasis Council (IPC) has published an important systematic review on the way in which psoriasis affects children and their families, including quality of life, physical symptoms, psychosocial impact, and family burden.1 The study reviewed no fewer than 64 studies, which revealed a number of key areas of concern, including the following:
Quality of Life (QoL): Overall, QoL was the most frequently reported area, with psoriasis severity correlating with greater impairment. Children reported worse QoL than peers with other skin conditions, such as vitiligo, eczema and acne.
Physical Symptoms: Itch affected 44% to 96% of children, with severity linked to more severe disease. Skin pain and sleep disruption were also common.
Social and Academic Impact: While most studies showed minimal disruption to school performance, some identified decreased participation in social activities – including sports - particularly in older adolescents with more visible disease.
Psychological Impact: Children with psoriasis experience higher rates of depression and anxiety, especially in moderate to severe cases. Stigma and bullying were reported in up to 65% of school-aged children with mild psoriasis.
Family Burden: Parents of children with psoriasis more often experienced emotional distress and financial strain. Several studies showed higher rates of depression and anxiety among parents of children with psoriasis, especially mothers.
The study also highlighted the need for future research to use validated, child-specific tools to better assess the psychosocial and family burden of psoriasis in children. Many current studies have relied on adult-focused or non-validated measures, limiting the ability to draw firm conclusions.
Overall, the study reinforces the need to address psoriasis in children and adolescents from a much more holistic perspective and to recognise that successful management extends well beyond controlling visible symptoms.
Reference:
1 Yang A, Cheng B, Seyger M.B, et al. The Burden of Paediatric Psoriasis: A Systematic Review. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, published online, 2025.