HONG KONG: Covered by itchy, inflamed patches and scaly eruptions over their bodies, psoriasis sufferers encounter discrimination in employment, and are shunned in their social and sex lives, research conducted by the patient group RemiCARE unveiled yesterday.

Initially a skin condition, psoriasis extends to nails and joints of patients when it reaches the serious stage. "Psoriasis is an incurable but non-contagious chronic skin inflammation caused by an immune disorder with around 20,000 patients in Hong Kong now," said dermatologist Ho Ka-keung, adding the afflicted experienced the onset of the disease between the ages of 15 and 35.

Of the 303 psoriasis patients surveyed, over half claimed sex life and courtship were affected. Half had difficulties in developing intimate relationships with partners and worried about lowering their partners' sexual appetite. More than 40 percent reduced sexual activity as a result.

Embarrassed, feeling disturbed and inferior, 65 percent surveyed said they minimized social contact and public appearances and almost 70 percent said they had no confidence in meeting new acquaintances.

Patients said they encountered discrimination when using public facilities, with 76 percent saying they have been refused admittance to swimming pools and 61 percent to public bath houses or massage venues.

"Patients often scare hairdressers as their heads bleed and their skin is swollen," Ho said.

Productivity at work among patients was affected. Among those surveyed, 56 percent had to take leave in the past six months. One fourth said they had been met with discrimination from colleagues or customers. Fourteen percent were moved from frontline duty and another 11 percent were sacked.

Early diagnosis and treatment of psoriasis can alleviate the physical and psychological trauma to patients despite there being no cure at the present time, Ho said.

(HK Edition 07/30/2009 page1)