{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,26]],"date-time":"2026-09-26T00:32:59Z","timestamp":1790382779735,"version":"4.1.0"},"reference-count":34,"publisher":"Public Library of Science (PLoS)","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,16]],"date-time":"2026-01-16T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1768521600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"Bridging Grant, Universiti Sains Malaysia","award":["R501-LR-RND0 03-0000001334-0000"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["R501-LR-RND0 03-0000001334-0000"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":["www.plosone.org"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["PLoS One"],"abstract":"<jats:sec id=\"sec001\">\n                    <jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin condition that significantly impacts an individual\u2019s quality of life, resulting in physical discomfort, psychological distress, and compromised social well-being. However, there is limited understanding regarding the challenges faced by patients in Malaysia. This study examines the lived experiences of patients with psoriasis in Malaysia, focusing on the emotional, social, financial, and treatment-related challenges they face, as well as the coping mechanisms they employ.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec id=\"sec002\">\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>A qualitative, phenomenological approach was employed among members of the Psoriasis Association Malaysia. Purposive sampling was used to recruit adult participants who were capable of participating in the online interview. Data collection involved the use of Google Forms, which included the Malay version of the Dermatology Life Quality Index questionnaire, supplementing the qualitative findings. This was followed by semi-structured online interviews conducted via video conferencing. Thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo version 14, and descriptive analysis was performed using SPSS version 28.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec id=\"sec003\">\n                    <jats:title>Result<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>This study involved 30 respondents with a mean age of 44 years diagnosed with psoriasis. The mean (SD) for the duration of illness is 21.3 (11.8) years. About 70% respondents reported that psoriasis had a moderate to very high impact on their quality of life. Thematic analysis has identified six major themes, including physical devastation, emotional burden, disruption in social functioning, treatment hurdles and advancements, financial barriers, and behavioral adaptation.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec id=\"sec004\">\n                    <jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Psoriasis imposes complex challenges that extend beyond physical symptoms, affecting emotional well-being, social interactions, financial stability, and treatment struggles. In response to the various challenges that arose, respondents developed behavioral adaptations to achieve a better quality of life. Framed within the biopsychosocial model, the findings emphasize the need for a holistic, patient-centred approach to psoriasis care that integrates medical treatment with psychological support and social interventions to improve overall quality of life.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0329066","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,16]],"date-time":"2026-01-16T18:23:03Z","timestamp":1768587783000},"page":"e0329066","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pone.corrections_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":2,"title":["Beyond the skin: Lived experiences and coping strategies of psoriasis patients in Malaysia"],"prefix":"10.1371","volume":"21","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0007-9886-5959","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Che Jusoh","family":"Che Awanis","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-6372-1476","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Mohd Noor","family":"Norhayati","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-4283-3548","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Zainab","family":"Mat Yudin","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"340","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,16]]},"reference":[{"key":"pone.0329066.ref001","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"4371471","DOI":"10.1155\/2018\/4371471","article-title":"Epidemiology and clinical features of adult patients with psoriasis in Malaysia: 10-year review from the Malaysian Psoriasis Registry (2007-2016)","volume":"2018","author":"A Mohd Affandi","year":"2018","journal-title":"Dermatol Res Pract"},{"key":"pone.0329066.ref002","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"743180","DOI":"10.3389\/fmed.2021.743180","article-title":"The Global, Regional, and National Burden of Psoriasis: Results and Insights From the Global Burden of Disease 2019 Study","volume":"8","author":"G Damiani","year":"2021","journal-title":"Front Med (Lausanne)"},{"issue":"8","key":"pone.0329066.ref003","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1253","DOI":"10.1111\/exd.14770","article-title":"Pustular psoriasis in Malaysia: A review of the Malaysian Psoriasis Registry 2007-2018","volume":"32","author":"Malaysian Psoriasis Registry Working Group.","year":"2023","journal-title":"Exp Dermatol"},{"key":"pone.0329066.ref004","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"179","DOI":"10.1111\/bjd.21862","article-title":"How common is psoriasis in Malaysia","volume":"187","author":"Choon","year":"2022","journal-title":"Br J Dermatol"},{"issue":"3","key":"pone.0329066.ref005","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"84","DOI":"10.51866\/oa.146","article-title":"Scalp psoriasis and Dermatology Life Quality Index: A retrospective study based on 12-year data from the Malaysian Psoriasis Registry","volume":"17","author":"WC Leong","year":"2022","journal-title":"Malays Fam Physician"},{"key":"pone.0329066.ref006","first-page":"553","article-title":"Study on the Impact of Psoriasis on Quality of Life: Psychological, Social and Financial Implications","volume":"32","author":"V Bulat","year":"2020","journal-title":"Psychiatr Danub"},{"issue":"18","key":"pone.0329066.ref007","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"11578","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph191811578","article-title":"Quality of Life and Its Associated Factors among Patients with Psoriasis in a Semi-Urban Northeast Malaysia","volume":"19","author":"MS Ahmad Fuat","year":"2022","journal-title":"Int J Environ Res Public Health"},{"key":"pone.0329066.ref008","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Sulong S, Ismail A, Azizam NA, Md Nor N, Ahmed Z. 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