Treatment impact on Quality of Life of Dermatological Outpatients- A prospective observational study

Abstract

The association between dermatology and psychiatry has been well known from mid-nineteenth century and is evolving since then as a consequence of overwhelming psychiatric morbidities among the persons with certain dermatoses. This study is intended to unveil such relationship and to establish gamut of opportunities directed to enhance the quality of life of such individuals. 1) To assess the socio-demographic profile of patients diagnosed with Acne Vulgaris (AV) and Psoriasis. 2) To grade the severity of disease using Pillsbury scale for AV and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) for Psoriasis. 3) To assess the psychological burden of the disease by using Dermatological Life Quality Index (DLQI). 4) To determine the effect of dermatological treatment if any and to assess its impact on DLQI score. This study enrolled 116 patients diagnosed with AV and Psoriasis attending the Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy Vinayaka Mission Medical College & Hospital, Salem and questions regarding socio-demographic profile, disease severity (PASI and Pillsbury scale), quality of life (DLQI) were measured and compared before and after intervention. Data were entered in Microsoft Excel [2007] and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences [SPSS] version 21.0 Chicago, USA This study was dominated by females (twice) and the subjects averaged 27.6 ± 12.9 years of age. The patients with moderate and severe forms of AV were the maximum (96.3%). Similarly the patients with moderate and severe psoriasis comprised two-third. Both the sub-groups has averaged larger effect of the respective disease condition downgrading their quality of life (DLQI score 20.1± 3.2 for AV and 23.4 ± 2.4 for psoriasis) although post-treatment scores declined by significant margins (DLQI score 7.9± 2.1 for AV and 9.1 ± 2.3 for psoriasis) As there exist positive correlations between earlier treatment onset and advancing quality of life, expediting the implementation of psychological assessment for the potential dermato-psychiatric illnesses has to be scaled up in all dispensaries.