Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Turkiye Klinikleri Dermatoloji, cilt.36, sa.1, ss.23-32, 2026 (Scopus)
Objective: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder with significant physical, psychosocial, and economic implications. Understanding how disease severity translates into financial burden may inform more comprehensive treatment strategies. This study aimed to estimate the cost of illness (COI) in patients with psoriasis and to investigate whether quality of life (QoL) mediates the relationship between disease severity and COI. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 275 adult patients diagnosed with psoriasis at a tertiary dermatology clinic. Disease severity was assessed using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), while QoL was evaluated using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). One-year retrospective cost data were obtained from institutional billing records. Mediation analysis was performed to test the indirect effect of disease severity on COI through QoL. Results: The mean annual total COI per patient was $1,125.30. PASI scores did not significantly predict COI directly. However, DLQI was found to significantly mediate the relationship between PASI and COI. These findings suggest that disease-related QoL plays a key role in determining the economic burden of psoriasis. Conclusion: Efforts to reduce the cost burden of psoriasis should consider not only disease severity but also interventions that enhance patient QoL. Targeting QoL may improve outcomes and support cost-effective healthcare delivery in psoriasis management.