Psoriasis has a heavy impact on the physical and mental well-being of the patient, especially when the areas affected are visible to others. Do women affected by psoriasis suffer more than men in this respect? OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of life level of patients with psoriasis according to gender. METHOD: Within the context of the SPOT study, 542 patients (298men/244women) responded to a qol questionnaire consisting of a generic scale (SF-12) and a specific scale (PDI-Psoriasis Disability Index). The completed questionnaires were returned in prepaid envelopes. RESULTS: The socio-demographic profile of the patients in the two groups did not present any statistically significant difference The mean age was respectively 46.3 years for the men versus 44.6 years for the women. The PDI score was 11.9% (SD = 11.7) for the men and 14.8% (SD = 14.4) for the women; the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.031). For the Work, Social relations, Leisure and Treatment dimensions, no difference was observed between the two sexes: respectively 6.8% (SD = 13.6), 13.0% (SD = 19.4), 12.5% (SD = 16.5), 11.6% (SD=18.2) in men versus 7.9% (SD = 15.2), 14.7% (SD = 23.1), 14.1% (SD = 18.2), 11.8% (SD = 20.6) in women. On the other hand, for the Daily Activities dimension the score was 14.0% (SD = 13.3) for the men and 19.9% (SD = 18.4) for the women. The difference was statistically significant (p <0.0007). With regard to the SF-12, the results were organised in 2 scores: mental (MCS-12) and physical (PCS-12). The scores for the men were: PCS-12 = 51.3 (SD = 7.6) & MCS-12 = 43.4 (SD = 10.0). The scores for the women were: PCS-12 = 51.6 (SD = 7.9) & MCS-12 = 40.1 (SD = 11.3). With regard to the mental dimension, the difference was statistically significant (p <0.0005). CONCLUSION: Psoriasis modifies the quality of life more greatly for women, who suffer more than men. This is especially true for the mental dimension (SF12) and for the daily activities dimension as shown by the PDI.