The impact of superficial dermatophytosis on quality of life: A cross-sectional observational study

Abstract

: The Indian dermatologists are witnessing an epidemic of sorts when it comes to superficial dermatophytosis cases in the last decade. At the receiving end of this epidemic are the patients who are suffering due to impaired quality of life. We tried to assess the impact of tinea on quality of life (QoL) of the patients.: To assess the impact of superficial dermatosis on quality of life using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire.: Cross-sectional, Observational study.: All patients between the age group of 18 to 70 years presenting with superficial dermatophytosis of more than 3 weeks duration were included after confirming the diagnosis with KOH mount. The patients filled in the DLQI after which scores were calculated and the effect on QoL was assessed. : Out of the 170 patients included in the study, majority of them (77, 45.3%) felt that tinea had a very large effect on their QoL and a very few patients (7, 4.1%) felt that tinea had a small effect on their QoL. Out of the 36 (21.2%) patients who felt that their condition had an extremely large effect on their QoL, majority of the patients had tinea corporis et cruris et faciei.: Superficial dermatophytosis has a very large effect on the Quality of Life of the patients and it impacts their lives adversely leading to psychological, social and financial problems.