Changes in Quality of Life in Persons with Eczema and Psoriasis After Treatment in Departments of Dermatology

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the impact of chronic dermatological diseases on quality of life (QoL) of Norwegian patients following in-patient management. QoL was measured by the Norwegian version of the Dermatology Life Quality Index, a validated, self-administered questionnaire. Adult in-patients with psoriasis and eczema were selected for one year from the dermatological departments in Norway. A total of 212 patients were included, and 126 patients (50% men, 85 with psoriasis and 41 with eczema, mean age 46 years) completed the questionnaires at time of hospital admission and one week after discharge. The patients reported adverse impact on QoL, but no differences between the psoriasis and eczema groups could be demonstrated. Patients with psoriasis improved from 18.3 (7.6) (mean (SD)) to 12.1 (8.2) (p < 0.01), and those with eczema improved from 20.0 (6.0) to 14.4 (7.8) (p < 0.01). Seventy percent of the patients showed improvement, 20% remained unchanged and 10% worsened. The parameters for which the most improvement was seen were those that were of most concern to the patients, i.e. their symptoms and embarrassment. In conclusion, the results are consistent with previous international studies.

Assessing the Impact of Efalizumab on Nail, Scalp and Palmoplantar Psoriasis and on Quality of Life: Results from a Multicentre, Open‐label, Phase IIIb/IV Trial

“…The beneficial effects of efalizumab in the patients enrolled in this trial were paralleled by steady improvements in QoL throughout the initial 12-week efalizumab treatment period. This trend, along with the 50% (5-point) improvement in DLQI score from baseline to Week 12 of efalizumab treatment, is also in accordance with the results of previous studies examining QoL following treatment in psoriasis patients [11][12][13][14][15].…”

Effect of Oral PUVAsol on the Quality of Life in Indian Patients Having Chronic Plaque Psoriasis

“…This is comparable to mean DLQI scores of 10.6 to 18.83 reported among psoriatic patients in various past studies done worldwide [11, 26]. Finlay et al have proposed a banding system to felicitate the clinical interpretation of DLQI scores [4, 27].…”

Psoriasis: Improving adherence to topical therapy

“…35 Patient day-care settings provide an environment that improves adherence. 36 Patients with impaired health-related quality of life may adhere less to their topical regimens. 15,37 However, adherence to therapy can lead to improvements in health-related quality of life, a potential motivating factor for better adherence and improved health outcomes.…”