The Prevalence of Anxiety and Depression in Arab Dermatology Patients

Background: Psychiatric disorders are common among patients with physical illnesses. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of anxiety and depression in Arab dermatology patients and to study its association with the patients' characteristics. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 875 patients attending the Dermatology Clinic at King Khalid University Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Each patient was asked to complete the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the demographic-clinical questionnaire. Results: The frequency of anxiety and depression in Arab dermatology patients was 29% for anxiety and 14% for depression. These frequencies were not related to sociodemographic and clinical variables (p > .05), except skin disease type (p < .05). Patients suffering from hair loss had the highest anxiety and depression scores (OR 1.725 [95% CI 1.247-2.386] and OR 1.686 [95% CI 1.101-2.581], respectively). On the other hand, patients suffering from psoriasis had the highest depression scores (OR 2.909 [95% CI 1.611-5.254]). Conclusion: Anxiety and depression are frequent among Arab dermatology patients.