Association of psychological stress with skin symptoms among medical students

Authors

• Hala M. Alotaibi, From the Department of Dermatology (Bin Saif, Alotaibi, Albraidi, Alotaibi), Department of Psychiatry (Almodihesh) College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Department of Dermatology (Alzolibani), College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraidah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Department of Dermatology and Itch Center (Yosipovitch), Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
• Abdullateef A. Alzolibani, From the Department of Dermatology (Bin Saif, Alotaibi, Albraidi, Alotaibi), Department of Psychiatry (Almodihesh) College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Department of Dermatology (Alzolibani), College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraidah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Department of Dermatology and Itch Center (Yosipovitch), Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
• Noor A. Almodihesh, From the Department of Dermatology (Bin Saif, Alotaibi, Albraidi, Alotaibi), Department of Psychiatry (Almodihesh) College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Department of Dermatology (Alzolibani), College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraidah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Department of Dermatology and Itch Center (Yosipovitch), Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
• Hamad F. Albraidi, From the Department of Dermatology (Bin Saif, Alotaibi, Albraidi, Alotaibi), Department of Psychiatry (Almodihesh) College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Department of Dermatology (Alzolibani), College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraidah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Department of Dermatology and Itch Center (Yosipovitch), Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
• Najed M. Alotaibi, From the Department of Dermatology (Bin Saif, Alotaibi, Albraidi, Alotaibi), Department of Psychiatry (Almodihesh) College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Department of Dermatology (Alzolibani), College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraidah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Department of Dermatology and Itch Center (Yosipovitch), Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America
• Gil Yosipovitch, From the Department of Dermatology (Bin Saif, Alotaibi, Albraidi, Alotaibi), Department of Psychiatry (Almodihesh) College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Department of Dermatology (Alzolibani), College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buraidah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Department of Dermatology and Itch Center (Yosipovitch), Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States of America

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the association between psychological stress and skin symptoms among medical students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out between January and June 2015. Electronic survey consists of Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) and Self-Reported Skin Complaints Questionnaire were distributed to all 1435 undergraduate students at College of Medicine, King Saud University (KSU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Results: Final analysis was performed on data from 529 (36.9%) students. Students were divided into three groups: least stressed students, n=135, PSQ index <0.39; highly stressed students, n=136, PSQ index >0.61; and moderately stressed students, n=258. Older age, female gender, during exam weeks, and fourth and fifth years of medical school (all p <0.01) were associated with the highest perceived stress levels. When compared to least stressed students, highly stressed students suffered from more oily, waxy patches or flakes on scalp ( p ≤0.0001), dry/sore rash ( p ≤0.0001), warts (p≤0.0001), pimples ( p ≤0.0001), itchy skin ( p ≤0.0001), hands itchy rash ( p ≤0.0001), hair loss ( p ≤0.0001), pull-out own hair ( p =0.008), scaly skin ( p =0.012), troublesome sweating ( p =0.016), nails biting ( p =0.028), and other rashes on face ( p =0.028). Conclusion: Various common skin conditions could appear in context of psychological stress among medical students.

Article Type

Research Article

First Page

59

Last Page

66

Recommended Citation

Alotaibi, Hala M.; Alzolibani, Abdullateef A.; Almodihesh, Noor A.; Albraidi, Hamad F.; Alotaibi, Najed M.; and Yosipovitch, Gil (2018) "Association of psychological stress with skin symptoms among medical students," Saudi Medical Journal: Vol. 39: Iss. 1, Article 10.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15537/smj.2018.1.21231