The Role of Therapy in Impairing Quality of Life in Dermatological Patients: A Multinational Study

Acta Derm Venereol. 2018 Jun 8;98(6):563-569. doi: 10.2340/00015555-2918.

Abstract

Skin disease and its therapy affect health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of this study was to measure the burden caused by dermatological therapy in 3,846 patients from 13 European countries. Adult outpatients completed questionnaires, including the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), which has a therapy impact question. Therapy issues were reported by a majority of patients with atopic dermatitis (63.4%), psoriasis (60.7%), prurigo (54.4%), hidradenitis suppurativa (54.3%) and blistering conditions (53%). The largest reduction in HRQoL attributable to therapy, as a percentage of total DLQI, adjusted for confounders, was seen in blistering conditions (10.7%), allergic/drug reactions (10.2%), psoriasis (9.9%), vasculitis/immunological ulcers (8.8%), atopic dermatitis (8.7%), and venous leg ulcers (8.5%). In skin cancer, although it had less impact on HRQoL, the reduction due to therapy was 6.8%. Treatment for skin disease contributes considerably to reducing HRQoL: the burden of dermatological treatment should be considered when planning therapy and designing new dermatological therapies.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cost of Illness
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Dermatology / methods*
  • Europe
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Quality of Life*
  • Remission Induction
  • Risk Factors
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Skin Diseases / diagnosis
  • Skin Diseases / psychology
  • Skin Diseases / therapy*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult