Quality of life in patients of hirsutism
Keywords:
Hirsutism, quality of life, DLQIAbstract
Objectives: To determine the impact of hirsutism on quality of life (QoL) using Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) in female patients. Patients and Methods: An observational study was carried out at the Department of Dermatology, King Edward Medical University/ Mayo Hospital, Lahore from March 1, 2012 to August 31, 2012. A total of 200 female patients suffering from hirsutism, of any severity, with age 16 years or above who themselves were able to understand and fill the DLQI questionnaire in Urdu version, were enrolled in our study. Using the DLQI questionnaire consisting of ten questions, patients were asked to score on a scale from 0-3 for each of ten items. The data were analyzed after compiling the results. The higher the DLQI score, the poorer was the QoL. Results: Mean age of the patients was 26.12±5.83 years. Mean DLQI score of all patients was 17.9±5.78. The findings indicated several areas where hirsutism had an impact on individual’s QoL, particularly in relation to symptoms and feelings, daily activities and personal relationships. Patients with moderate hirsutism and severe hirsutism had mean DLQI score of 18.2±5.57 and 17.88±5.74 respectively. Mean DLQI scores were highest for Q2 (symptoms and feelings). Conclusion Hirsutism causes a ‘very large effect’ on patients’ quality of life. Impairment of QoL is greater in female patients irrespective of marital status and severity (either moderate or severe) of hirsutism. Longer duration of disease leads to poorer quality of life.References
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