Abstract
Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate QoL in patients suffering from morphea. Material and Methods. Sixty-five patients with morphea were recruited into this cross-sectional, prospective parallel study. QoL among adult patients was assessed with the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and Euro-QoL-5D questionnaire; patients aged <17 years used the Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI). The severity of morphea was assessed using the Localized Scleroderma Cutaneous Assessment Tool. The results of QoL and its association with disease severity were compared between patients with various morphea subtypes. Results The mean DLQI scoring was 3.8 ± 4.1 points and the CDLQI was 2.3 ± 3.0. The mean value of Visual Analogue Scale thermometer (EQ VAS) was 66.9 ± 17.5 points. The disease activity of morphea based on mLoSSI correlated significantly with QoL impairment according to the DLQI (R = 0.41, p = 0.001). No significant correlation was observed between morphea-induced damage and QoL (p = 0.99). Conclusions Evaluation of QoL in patients with morphea is still challenging due to lack of good assessment tools dedicated specifically for morphea patients. In general, QoL in morphea patients is significantly correlated with the disease activity, but not with disease-induced skin damage.
Highlights
IntroductionMorphea (or localized scleroderma) is an inflammatory, immune-mediated disease of unknown etiology
Morphea is an inflammatory, immune-mediated disease of unknown etiology
A systematic search of the PubMed database was conducted with medical subject headings (MeSH terms) in various combinations: “morphea” or “localized scleroderma” and “quality of life”, “Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI)”, “dermatology life quality index” or “EQ-5D”
Summary
Morphea (or localized scleroderma) is an inflammatory, immune-mediated disease of unknown etiology. The results of QoL and its association with disease severity were compared between patients with various morphea subtypes. QoL in morphea patients is significantly correlated with the disease activity, but not with disease-induced skin damage. Morphea ( named as localized scleroderma (LS)) is a rare autoimmune inflammatory disease that essentially affects the skin and/or subcutaneous tissue [1]. It is more common in females, with a female to male ratio of 2-4 : 1 depending on the studied population [2]. The EDF S1-guideline authors considered eosinophilic fasciitis as another subtype within the spectrum of LS
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
