Quality of life in children with pityriasis rosea: a prospective case control study.

Abstract

Our aim was to investigate the effects on quality of life of pityriasis rosea (PR) in children and the concerns of their parents. We recruited all children ages 5-16 years with a diagnosis of PR in a primary care setting over a period of 30 months. Controls were the next child of the same sex and comparable age consulting for atopic dermatitis or for conditions unrelated to the skin. Information on parental concerns was also gathered. Ten children with PR and 20 control subjects were recruited. Total Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) scores of children with PR (mean 3.50; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.66-4.34) were significantly lower than those of children with atopic dermatitis (mean 7.70; 95% CI 5.59-9.81). Children with PR had significantly lower scores for symptoms and feelings, personal relationships, and sleep. Total CDLQI scores of children with PR were significantly higher than those of children with no active skin problem (mean 0.30; 95% CI -0.18 to 0.78). Significantly more parents of children with PR had concerns regarding the etiology, infectivity, relapse, and complications or dangers of the disease. We concluded that quality of life (QOL) of children with PR is significantly less affected than that of children with atopic dermatitis and significantly more affected than in children with no active skin problem. The major concerns of parents of children with PR are the etiology, infectivity, relapse, and complications or dangers. These results have important implications on whether active intervention is worthwhile for this disease.