[A proposal of questionnaire for evaluation of the quality of life in patients with psoriatic arthritis].

The need for a global assessment of the health state of patients affected by psoriatic arthritis (APs) which takes into account not only bio-clinical aspects but also other relevant results such as physical, mental and social wealth, was the main reason for the development of an original questionnaire capable of assessing the social and psychological impact of both the affections [psoriasis (Ps) and APs] considered individually and in their summing up of effects. Our study assessed 56 consecutive patients affected by APs under treatment in the Medical and Skin Disease Departments of the "Santa Maria" Perugia University Hospital of Terni, within a time span of 14 months. A questionnaire divided in five parts (a general part and four special parts, assessing, psychological, social, rheumatological and social, economic and therapeutic issues) was proposed to each patient under observation. The questionnaire can be self-filled in by the patient more than once and has been statistically validated for internal consistency, reproduciability and comparability with control groups. The patients with APs consider "bad" their diseases (50%) and develop depression (50%); the social life are troubled by Ps (49%) alone, in comparison with APs (22%); 70% of patients agrees with therapy and is willing to sustain an extra-expense of 500 euro per year.