An Observational Cross Sectional Study to Assess the Quality of Life of Patients Having Lesions of Acne Vulgaris on Their Face in a Tertiary Care Centre of West Bengal

Abstract

BACKGROUND Acne vulgaris is a common disease mostly affecting the adolescents. The lesions can be distributed over the sebaceous rich areas of the body like face, chest, back and upper arm. The commonest location is face. Face is psychologically the most important part of the body. So, the presence of lesions on the face can have significant effects on the quality of life of the patients. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect on the quality of life (QOL) of the patients who have acne vulgaris on their face. Along with that this study was planned to assess as to whether the effect on QOL is related to two demographic factors - age & gender and two clinical factors - duration of disease and grade of acne vulgaris. METHODS 81 patients having acne vulgaris on their face who attended the Dermatology OPD were assessed using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire. RESULTS Acne vulgaris of the face had significant adverse effect on the QOL of the affected patients. DLQI score was found to be more with increase in age of the patients. There was no significant association between DLQI score & gender. The clinical factors, duration of disease and the grade of acne vulgaris had statistically significant positive correlation with DLQI score. CONCLUSIONS Acne vulgaris had an adverse effect on the QOL of the patients. QOL was more affected with increase in age of the patients. Duration of the lesions and grade of acne vulgaris had a positive correlation with the effect on the QOL of the patients. The lesions can be controlled with treatment. Proper counselling is also very important. KEYWORDS Acne Vulgaris, Quality of Life (QOL), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI)