Quality of life assessment in chronic skin disorders

Abstract

Objective To assess the impact of disease on quality of life of dermatological patients by using dermatology life quality index (DLQI).Methods One hundred consecutive adult patients with any dermatological disease lasting more than six months were interviewed and filled DLQI questionnaire. DLQI is a broad, self-administered, dermatology specific questionnaire that measures the impact of skin diseases on health-related quality of life in patients. It covers six domains (symptoms, feelings, routine daily activities, sports activities, work and school, personal relationships, and treatment) during the preceding one week. In our study, both original English and validated Urdu versions of the instrument were used for patients in either language of ease.Results There were 58 males and 42 females. Mean age was 42+17 years. A total of 26 dermatological diseases were found in our patients. Chronic eczema was the commonest diagnosis in 29% of patients, followed by melasma in 11%. The duration of illness varied from 6 months to 25 years whereas mean duration was 10.48+5.9 years. DLQI score varied from 0-20, mean score was 10.02+4.09. Score was significantly associated with disease duration (p value 0.0001, student t test).  The difference in DLQI scores between sexes was not significant (p value0.32, student t test).Conclusion Skin diseases, irrespective of the diagnosis, impair quality of life which is directly proportional to the duration of disease.