Mood symptoms, neurodevelopmental traits, and their contributory factors in X-linked ichthyosis, ichthyosis vulgaris and psoriasis

Background High rates of adverse mood/neurodevelopmental traits are seen in multiple dermatological conditions, and can significantly impact patients’ quality of life. Understanding the sex-specific nature, magnitude, impact and basis of such traits in lesser-studied conditions like ichthyosis, is important for developing effective interventions. Objectives To a) quantify and compare relevant psychological traits, across males diagnosed with X-linked ichthyosis (XLI, n=54) or female XLI carriers (n=83), ichthyosis vulgaris (IV, male n=23, female n=59) or psoriasis (male n=30, female n=122) and b) to identify factors self-reported to contribute most towards depressive, anxious and irritability phenotypes. Methods Participants recruited via relevant charities or social media completed an online survey of established questionnaires. Data were compared to general population data, and were also analysed by sex and skin condition. Results The lifetime prevalence of mood disorder diagnoses across all groups, and neurodevelopmental disorder diagnoses in the XLI groups, was higher than in the general population. Groups exhibited similarly significantly-elevated recent mood symptoms (Cohen’s d: 0.95-1.28, p0.47, p≤0.002), and between feelings of stigmatisation and quality of life, particularly in males. Numerous factors were identified as contributing significantly to mood symptoms in a condition or sex-specific, or condition/sex-independent, manner. Conclusions Recognising mood/neurodevelopmental problems in ichthyosis and psoriasis, and addressing the predisposing factors identified herein, in clinical practice should benefit the mental health of affected individuals