Konstantinos Kontoangelos

Vitiligo is a chronic acquired pigmentary disorder with substantial psychosocial consequences. This study evaluated depression, general psychopathology, personality traits, hostility, and dermatology-related quality of life in patients with vitiligo, and examined the demographic and clinical factors associated with psychological burden and impaired social functioning. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 100 patients with vitiligo followed at Andreas Syggros Hospital, Athens, Greece. Participants completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R), Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), Hostility and Direction of Hostility Questionnaire (HDHQ), and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Non-parametric tests, correlation analyses, and multivariable logistic and binomial regression models were applied. Most patients reported minimal depressive symptoms, although more than one-third showed mild-to-severe depressive burden. Psychological distress was mainly reflected in anxiety, depression, somatization, and interpersonal sensitivity. Women and patients with comorbidities had significantly higher depression scores and poorer quality of life. Lesion localization was clinically relevant: trunk, genital, and lower-extremity involvement were associated with greater psychological burden and worse DLQI scores, whereas facial involvement was associated with lower psychopathology scores in multivariable analysis. Depression was independently associated with comorbidity, neuroticism, psychoticism, and self-criticism. Impaired quality of life was associated with female sex, extremity involvement, and self-criticism, while longer disease duration showed a protective effect. Vitiligo is a multidimensional disorder in which dermatological, psychological, and social factors interact closely. Quality of life is influenced more strongly by psychological status and personality-related factors than by disease severity alone, supporting the need for interdisciplinary management that integrates dermatologic and mental health care.

Objectives: The onset, progression and recurrence of psoriasis is believed to be related to mood and psychological disorders, such as depression. Psoriasis affects the personal, social and sexual life of patients resulting in psychological stress. Aim : The purpose of the research is the psychometric evaluation of patients with psoriasis. Methods: Seventy one patients with psoriasis were enrolled in the study. The measurement of the severity of psoriasis in the patients was implemented through specific indicators, the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to measure the intensity of depressive symptoms. In addition, the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), the self-completed scale Brief Symptom Inventory SCL - 90, and the HDHQ questionnaire (Psychometric Hostility and Direction of Hostility Questionnaire) were given. The validity and reliability of questionnaires rely on input from experts and potential responders who may suggest pertinent revisions to prepare forms with attractive designs, easily understandable questions, and correctly ordered points that appeal to target respondents. Results : Females with psoriasis have on average significantly higher scores in the BDI depression scale (13.5±10.0 vs. 7.9±8.3, p=0.009) compared to men, as well as in the SCL90 depression scale (13.64±10.18 vs. 7.00±5.45, p=0.003). The extroversion scale of the EPQ is statistically significantly related with the patients’ psychiatric history and stable income. Patients receiving medication for psoriasis are 2 times more likely to answer the lie questions positively than patients not receiving medication (OR=2.01, p=0.028). Conclusion : Psoriasis exerts a direct influence on the social daily life of the individual, at a functional and behavioural level. It is essential to emphasise the importance of addressing the psychological effects of psoriasis along with its physical aspects for better outcomes. Cite this article as: Kontoangelos K, Vavouli C, Daikidou I, Tsiori S, Martinaki S, Karageorgiou S, Papageorgiou C, Stratigos A. Psychometric Evaluation of Patients with Psoriasis and their Association with Patients’ Psychological Characteristics. Mediterr J Rheumatol 2026;37(Supp 1):92-99. Article Submitted: 3 Jan 2025; Revised Form: 18 Jul 2025; Article Accepted: 28 Jul 2025; Available Online: 8 Jan 2026 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. ©2026 The Author(s). https://doi.org/10.31138/mjr.030125.epr

Atopic dermatitis and psoriasis are two dermatological diseases that affect the mental health of patients. The purpose of this research is to investigate the comparison of the psychometric characteristics of two groups of patients with psoriasis and atopic dermatitis respectively focusing on depression, personality, hostility and psychosomatic burden. Τhe sample was consisted by 100 patients with psoriasis and 40 patients with atopic dermatitis, respectively. Specific questionnaires were given for the psychometric evaluation of patients with atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. The Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) the Brief Symptom Inventory SCL-90 scale, and the HDHQ questionnaire (Psychometric Hostility and Direction of Hostility Questionnaire). Patients with atopic dermatitis have statistically significantly higher scores on the scale of somatization and paranoid ideation, while patients with psoriasis have statistically significantly higher scores on the scale of depression. On the personality scales, patients with atopic dermatitis have on average statistically significantly higher scores on the psychoticism scale and lower scores on the lying scale than the psoriatic patients. Patients with atopic dermatitis present statistically significantly higher scores on the scale of paranoid hostility than patients with psoriasis. Patients receiving medication as well as the interaction of disease group with receiving medication are statistically significantly related to the psychopathology index. Patients' scores on the psychotic scale of the EPQ are statistically significantly related to the duration of the illness and the patient group, gender and medication intake. The psychosocial effects of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis on patients' mental health are demonstrated in the present study based on patient scores on psychometric scales and psychopathology index.

Extracranial carotid aneurysms are rare and may be asymptomatic for long periods, or they may present with symptoms depending on their size and location. Complications such as rupture or stroke can significantly impact outcomes, particularly if the aneurysm is not detected early or treated promptly. This case report illustrates a traumatic carotid aneurysm in a young female patient and its surgical management with successful stent-graft deployment. Patients with undiagnosed intracerebral aneurysms that have not ruptured may present with a variety of neurological and psychiatric symptoms. Management of psychiatric conditions in these patients after surgical aneurysm repair is essential, as it improves quality of life.

Defense mechanisms are unconscious mental processes employed as defensive strategies in the service of the ego, constituting their field of action. They alleviate intrapsychic conflicts and anxieties within the ego enabling its liberation. Social work students perform tasks within demanding, adverse, and conflicting situations and are often overwhelmed by difficult emotions affecting their psychological adjustment. Recognizing and adopting mature mechanisms can support and provide intrapsychic functioning with strength and equilibrium. This study highlights the defense mechanisms “detected” in social work students, concerning psychopathology, before entering the professional world. The sample consisted of 361 undergraduate students with a mean age of 21.7 years. 60.9% of the sample were students in their first or second year of studies, while 39% included third or fourth year students. Students completed a demographic data questionnaire, the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised, and the Defense Style Questionnaire. Significant positive correlation was observed between all SCL-90-R dimensions and maladaptive action, distorting of self or others’ image, and self-sacrificing. The adaptive subscale was positively correlated only with anxiety and paranoid ideation. SCL-90-R dimensions were predictive of self-sacrificing. Students who grew up in urban areas scored lower on maladaptive and self-sacrificing styles. Third and fourth-year students scored higher on self-sacrifice, with the educational level of their parents being an important factor. The defense mechanisms study provides important insight into a person’s personality and mental functioning. Preparing social work students involves, on behalf of the teaching staff, vigilance and care in terms of psychological vulnerabilities and maladjustments, and therefore the incorporation in the curriculum of courses and institutional practices enhancing mental empowerment and psychological adjustment.

Objectives: The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome is one of the most prevalent genetic disorders and children suffering from this syndrome have been found to have a substantially greater risk for the development of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Psychiatric medications such as antipsychotics are commonly used in individuals with 22q11.2DS. Experimental Design: This is a case of 13 years male young man suffering from 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Since adolescence, he presented with behavioural disorders, aggression, verbal abuse, sleep disorders. Principal Observations: The psychiatric examination confirmed the delusional idea, which was repeated in an obsessive way. There were also auditory hallucinations along with reference ideas. Aripiprazole was administered in 8 mg daily which gave more spectacular results and was better tolerated. Conclusions: In the present situation delusional ideas are no longer mentioned, but a cognitive deduction is found. Aripiprazole can be an effective pharmacological solution for the psychotic symptoms in patients suffering from 22q11DS.

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a disease with a decisive burden on sufferers, both physical and psychological. It was expected that the more intense the severity of symptoms the patients experienced, the greater the correlation with the psychosomatic manifestations would be. The present study aimed to explore the correlation between hidradenitis suppurativa and the psychosomatic burden, the personality, and the demographic characteristics of the participants. The participants were 90 outpatients of the hospital, aged 18 to 65, who had been diagnosed with hidradenitis and were sufficiently proficient in Greek. The psychometric instruments administered were the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL90), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), the short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ), the Hurley and refined Hurley classifications, the International Hidradenitis Suppurativa Severity Scoring System (IHS4), and a short demographic questionnaire. All statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS-28 statistical package. According to statistical analyses, there was no statistically significant relationship between disease severity, psychosomatic burden, and personality. However, there were statistically significant associations with demographic factors, such as being female or not being in a relationship, the patient's body mass index, the locus of the skin lesion, a history of hospitalization, comorbidities, psychiatric history, and pain with psychopathological manifestations and personality. It is important that further research be conducted that will include more mental disorders besides anxiety and depression while at the same time excluding confounding factors for safer interpretation of the results.

Background/Aim: Melanoma, as a type of skin cancer, has undoubtedly gathered the interest of the global community in recent years, due to its rising incidence. Patients suffering from melanoma experience effects on their mental health, mainly depression and anxiety disorders. The present study aimed to examine the association of melanoma with the psychosomatic burden, personality traits, and demographic factors of the participants. Patients and Methods: The psychometric instruments administered were: the Psychopathology Questionnaire (SCL-90), Beck Depression Scale (BDI), Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), and Hostility Questionnaire (HDHQ). The research sample consisted of 80 cancer patients, of whom 57.5% were women and 42.5% men, and whose ages ranged from 15 to 85, with a mean age of 56.95 and a standard deviation of 13.52 years. Results: The majority of patients presented introverted hostility (77.5%) and 22.5% presented extroverted hostility. Male cancer patients seemed to score on average statistically significantly higher on the self-criticism scale than females (4.44±2.31 vs. 3.17±1.98, p<0.01) The patients in an advanced stage scored statistically significantly higher on the phobic anxiety scale than the patients in the initial stage (5.17±3.60 vs. 2.86±2.04, p<0.01). Also, early-stage patients presented statistically significantly higher scores on the paranoid hostility scale than advanced-stage patients (2.00±1.18 vs. 1.37±0.89, p<0.05). Conclusion: The majority of patients with melanoma presented introverted hostility, and those in advanced stages scored significantly higher on the phobic anxiety scale compared to the patients in the initial stage.

Background: Psoriasis is associated with a high psychological burden and comorbidities, such as depression and anxiety. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychopathological profile of patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis under systemic treatment and to explore the association between DLQI and alexithymia, depression, and other psychopathological disorders. Methods: In this monocentric, prospective clinical study, 104 adult patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis were evaluated according to the disease severity (measured by PASI) influence of psoriasis on their quality of life (measured by DLQI) and their psychopathological profile (measured by the BDI, TAS-20, and SCL-90 questionnaires). Results: The psoriasis patients exhibited high levels of psychopathological symptoms, particularly for depression, obsessive-compulsive behavior, somatization, interpersonal sensitivity, and anxiety. More than half of the psoriatic patients (56.7%) were diagnosed with minimal depression, 26.9% with mild depression, and 16.3% with moderate or severe depression. The symptoms of possible and confirmed alexithymia were present in 19.2% and 15.4% of the patients, respectively. The patients with alexithymia appeared to experience a more significant impact on their QoL. Specifically, the percentage of patients with alexithymia/possible alexithymia who had a DLQI of ≥2 was 77.8% vs. 51.5% in those without alexithymia. Conclusions: Our study illuminates the intricate connection between the disease severity and psychological components that impact the QoL of patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. It is advised that clinicians adopt a comprehensive approach to managing psoriasis, which involves addressing both the physical symptoms of the condition and the psychological impact. In cases of patients with a DLQI of ≥2, despite adequate clinical responses, evaluating the possible coexistence of general psychopathology is recommended.

An acid attack is a deliberate act of violence. Sulphuric acid is thrown at a person’s face and body with the intention of harming and disfiguring the victim. Sulphuric acid is a dangerous weapon which can cause very serious injuries including severe skin damage, blindness, significant disfigurement and/or permanent disability. We report the case of Ioanna, a 34-year-old woman who was attacked with vitriol by a jealous woman in May 2020. Following her admission to hospital, where Ioanna was an inpatient for 85 days, she underwent nine operations. Since her discharge she has undergone ten more, with further interventions likely in the future. In addition, she has undergone various treatments and procedures to restore her skin. Ioanna’s courage and strength has inspired thousands of young children and adults who cope with a variety of health problems.