Psychiatric Sequelae of Genital Dermatoses: A Two-Year Follow-up Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.30834/KJP.39.1.2026.565Keywords:
Genital Dermatosis, Anxiety, DepressionAbstract
Background: Genital dermatoses are a group of cutaneous disorders that affect the skin of the external genitalia. Individuals suffering from genital dermatoses may be reluctant to seek treatment because of fear, cultural taboos, and reticence to undergo an examination of the genitalia. This can worsen their dermatological condition and can also cause varying psychological distress. This study aimed to assess the anxiety and depression in patients diagnosed with genital dermatoses and to follow up with them after two years.
Methods: This longitudinal observational study was conducted at a tertiary care center in Southern India. The study participants were persons diagnosed with genital dermatoses. The Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) were used to assess anxiety and depressive symptoms, respectively. We provided all participants with anxiety and depression with either pharmacological or psychological intervention. A follow-up was done two years after the initial evaluation to reassess the clinical status of their dermatological condition and anxiety and depressive symptoms.
Results: Of the 60 participants with genital dermatoses, 51 participants completed a two-year follow-up. Among them, only 13 (25.5%) of the participants had persistent genital dermatoses after two years. Compared with the initial assessment values (Mean HAM-A =13.22 (Standard Deviation (SD) = 6.97) (Mean HAM-D = 11.07) (SD = 6.52), there was a significant reduction in both mean HAM-A (5.49) (SD=6.57) (P<0.001) and mean HAM-D (4.46) (SD=5.45) (P<0.001) scores after two years.
Conclusion: Genital dermatoses can cause significant anxiety and depression. As the dermatological symptoms improve, the anxiety and depressive symptoms also improve.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Nimmy Chandran, Anupa Mary Job, Anirudh Balachandran, Ajithra Mary, Deepak KS (Author)
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