A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Psychological and Dermatologic Manifestations Post-February 6 Earthquakes in Dermatology Patients.

BACKGROUND

Earthquakes are major natural disasters that can trigger both psychological and dermatological disturbances. The complex interaction between post-disaster mental health and skin disease remains underexplored, particularly beyond the acute phase.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and their associations with dermatologic diagnoses in patients attending a dermatology clinic one year after the February 6, 2023 earthquakes in Türkiye.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 673 dermatology outpatients who had resided in Malatya during the earthquakes. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected. Psychological distress was assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder-Short Scale.

RESULTS

Clinically significant anxiety, depression, and PTSD were observed in 44.0%, 69.2%, and 15.8% of participants, respectively. The most frequent dermatologic diagnoses were telogen effluvium (18.7%), pruritus (16.0%), and urticaria (10.1%). Telogen effluvium was more common among patients with anxiety (p=0.004) and PTSD (p=0.009), whereas alopecia areata and psoriasis showed higher rates in patients with anxiety and depression (p<0.05). Female sex, a history of psychiatric illness, and high education level were associated with the presence of PTSD.

CONCLUSION

High levels of psychological distress persist among dermatology patients even one year after the earthquakes, underscoring the importance of integrated dermatologic and mental health assessment.