Presenting Author:

Kelsey Orrell, M.B.

Principal Investigator:

Anne Laumann, M.B.Ch.B.

Department:

Dermatology

Keywords:

Psoriasis, sexual dysfunction, comorbidities.

Location:

Ryan Family Atrium, Robert H. Lurie Medical Research Center

C11 - Clinical

Psoriasis and sexual dysfunction in young adult males

Introduction: Sexual dysfunction (SD) has been reported to be associated with psoriasis, but few studies have investigated whether there is a relationship between SD and psoriasis severity in young adult males, a population less likely to be impacted by SD than older men more vulnerable to prostatic enlargement and other age-related confounding variables. Methods: To explore this further, a large, urban, U.S. patient population informed by an electronic medical record data repository was searched for male patients, aged 18-42 years, who had a dermatology clinic encounter between January 2001 and October 2016. The diagnoses of psoriasis and SD were detected by ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes (696.1, L40.0-L40.4, L40.8, L40.8 and 607.84, 302.7, 302.71,302.72, N52.9, F52.21, 302.74, R68.82, F52.0, F52.8, 799.81, R68.82, R37, respectively). Severity of psoriasis was defined as exposure to systemic anti-psoriasis medications or exposure to topical (or no) medications. Data on phototherapy treatment were not within the scope of this study. Results: Of 1,593 individuals with psoriasis, 360 (22.6%) were exposed to systemic anti-psoriasis medications while 1,233 (77.4%) were exposed to topical (or no) medications. 26 (7.2%) men on systemic medications had a diagnosis of SD, compared to 45(3.6%) of those treated with topical (or no) medications (Odds Ratio: 2.05, 95%, CI: 1.25-3.38, p=0.006). Conclusion: Findings from this study population suggest that psoriasis severity may correlate with sexual dysfunction in young males. These findings warrant further exploration, especially during drug development. A careful assessment for sexual dysfunction should be considered for patients with psoriasis in order to ensure optimal management and improved quality of life.