Mediating effect of disease severity on the relationship between smoking status and quality of life in psoriasis patients

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between smoking and quality of life and to investigate the mediating role of disease severity on this relationship in psoriasis patients. Materials and Methods: In the study, 268 psoriasis patients were reached by the convenience sampling method. In the study, patients' quality of life was measured with "dermatology quality of life index (DLQI)" and disease severity was measured with "psoriasis area and severity index (PASI)". The effect of the independent variable (smoking) on the dependent variable (quality of life), both directly and indirectly through the mediating variable (disease severity), was examined by process analysis. Results: Smoking status shows statistically significant differences according to gender, age, marital status, occupation, and income groups. 17.02% of women and 44.09% of men smoke. 19.74% of single and 33.85% of married smoke. 20% of unemployed and 39.13% of employees smoke. 17.76% of low-income, 50.91% of middle-income, and 40.98% of high-income people smoke. This cross-sectional study revealed that smoking in psoriasis has no direct effect on the quality of life, but that smoking has a full indirect effect on the quality of life through disease severity. Conclusion: In the study, it was found that smoking negatively affects the quality of life through both disease severity. Accordingly, it is recommended that patients be informed about the effect of smoking on their diseases.