Quality of Life in Cohabitants of Patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that impairs patients’ physical and mental health. However, few studies have considered the consequences of HS on cohabitants. The aims of this study were to explore the impact of HS on the quality of life (QOL) of cohabitants and to assess potentially associated factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted and patients with HS and their cohabitants were invited to participate. Validated questionnaires were used to measure QOL, anxiety and depression, type D personality and sexual dysfunction. The clinical variables of patients and the demographic characteristics of cohabitants were also collected. Twenty-seven patients and 27 cohabitants were included for analysis. Patients and cohabitants presented significant QOL impairment. A direct association was found between the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the Familiar Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI). DLQI scores were associated with the presence of negative affectivity, a trait typical of type D personality, as well as with cohabitants’ anxiety. FDLQI scores were associated with cohabitant anxiety and patient depression. Hidradenitis suppurativa damages quality of life in patients and cohabitants. Identifying potential psychological factors could help us to recognize at-risk patients and apply personalized treatments for them and their environment.

Quality of Life in Patients with Skin Disease and Their Cohabitants

“…Moreover, HS has a great impact on cohabitants' life as they are involved in patients' caregiving [51][52][53]. A positive association between the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI) has been observed [52]. The most affected areas are emotional distress (depression, anxiety, embarrassment), social life and routine household expenditure [53].…”

“…The most affected areas are emotional distress (depression, anxiety, embarrassment), social life and routine household expenditure [53]. In fact, patient's anxiety and depression and higher score for negative affectivity are associated with a lower quality of life in their cohabitants [52]. Disease severity also impairs both patients and cohabitants life due to skin symptoms (disease duration, pain, more involved locations), the need of continuous care and more unpleasant treatments and a higher economic expenditure [51].…”

“…In addition, a great impact is found in partners or husband/wife compared with parents, leading to a potential effect on the couple relationships [51]. In fact, patient sexual dysfunction greatly impairs cohabitant's quality of life [52]. On the other hand, higher educational level and an early diagnosis and treatment have a positive impact on patients and their partners' life [51][52][53].…”

Hidradenitis suppurativa: Wie die Partner von Betroffenen psychosozial beeinträchtigt werden

“…Trotzdem sollte das Ergebnis dazu führen, dass nicht nur nach der Lebensqualität der Betroffenen gesehen wird, sondern auch die Angehörigen und speziell die Partner mit in die Behandlung einbezogen werden. Eine ähnliche Studie, die ebenfalls nach der Beeinträchtigung der Partner*innen gesehen hat, kam im Prinzip zu den gleichen Ergebnissen wie Wlodarek et al [18] und konnte darüber hinaus noch zeigen, dass die Ängste der Partner*innen und eine Typ-D-Persönlichkeit der Betroffenen hier korreliert [14]. Ein indirekt sehr erfreuliches Ergebnis ist zunächst, dass immerhin nur 28,6% der erfassten Teilnehmer*innen an der Studie keine Partner*innen hatten, was in etwa auch dem Anteil in der allgemeinen Bevölkerung entspricht und vielleicht darauf hinweist, dass die Erkrankung nicht unbedingt dazu führt, dass das Finden eines Partners ebenso beeinträchtigt ist.…”

“…Trotzdem sollte das Ergebnis dazu führen, dass nicht nur nach der Lebensqualität der Betroffenen gesehen wird, sondern auch die Angehörigen und speziell die Partner mit in die Behandlung einbezogen werden. Eine ähnliche Studie, die ebenfalls nach der Beeinträchtigung der Partner*innen gesehen hat, kam im Prinzip zu den gleichen Ergebnissen wie Wlodarek et al [18] und konnte darüber hinaus noch zeigen, dass die Ängste der Partner*innen und eine Typ-D-Persönlichkeit der Betroffenen hier korreliert [14].…”