Family Dermatology Life Quality Index Scores Research Articles

Family dermatology life quality index in patients with pemphigus vulgaris: A cross-sectional study.

Pemphigus vulgaris is a rare autoimmune intraepidermal vesiculobullous disease involving the skin and mucosa. It impacts the quality of life of both patients and their families. A total of 70 patients with pemphigus vulgaris (either outpatient or hospitalized) were enrolled using the simple sampling method between 2016 and 2017 from the dermatology clinic at Faghihi Hospital, Shiraz, Iran. A validated Persian version of the Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (FLDQI) questionnaire was filled by a family caregiver. The questionnaire contained 10 items assessing the quality of life of the family. Demographic variables were recorded in a separate form. The mean age of the patients was 51 ± 11.3 years and that of the family caregivers was 32 ± 8.8 years. The FLDQI score was higher (poorer quality of life) if the patient was male, older, had shorter disease duration or had fewer disease recurrences (P = 0.046, 0.01, 0.001 and >0.001, respectively). Higher scores were also obtained in the less-educated caregivers (P = 0.026) but there was no association with either gender or age (P = 0.399, 0.1). Pemphigus vulgaris significantly affects the Family Dermatology Life Quality Index. Education and counseling of family caregivers by various support groups such as Pemphigus Family Associations could be effective in improving the quality of life of the caregivers. This study did not assess the effect of comprising domain analysis, severity of disease, patients' Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), mucosal involvement, response to treatment, outpatient or admitted status, socioeconomic status, or the quality of life among the various family members.

Impact of psoriasis in the quality of life of children, adolescents and their families: a cross-sectional study

AbstractBackground: Psoriasis is a chronic and inflammatory disease that impairs quality of life and causes psychological symptoms. Despite the high prevalence of psoriasis in pediatric patients, studies investigating the impact of psoriasis in the quality of life of children, adolescents and families are sparse.Objective: To investigate the impact of psoriasis in the quality of life of children and adolescents with psoriasis and their families and to determine depression and anxiety levels of the patients.Methods: A total of 58 patients with psoriasis aged 7-18 years (median age: 11) and a family member of each patient were included in the study. Children’s Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI), Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI), Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC) were used in the study.Results: The median PASI score of the patients included in the study was 1.8. The median CDLQI and FDLQI scores in the study groups were 5 and 10, respectively. The median CDI score, STAIC-state and STAIC-trait scores of the patients were 6, 28 and 32.5, respectively.Study limitations: Lack of a control group and patient assessment of disease severity. Relatively mild disease severity of the subjects.Conclusions: Psoriasis has a negative impact in the quality of life of children, adolescents and their families, even in the presence of mild disease. Considering that impairment in quality of life may be associated with psychosocial morbidity, a combined approach with medical therapy, family counseling and quality of life assessment may be beneficial in this patient group.

Japanese version of the Family Dermatology Life Quality Index: Translation and validation.

Skin conditions affect the quality of life (QoL) of patients and their family. To assess family members' QoL, a questionnaire uniquely designed for family members is necessary. We translated the Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI), originally created and validated by Basra etal., into Japanese, and evaluated its reliability and validity. For psychometric evaluations, 150 dermatology patients and their family members were included. The Japanese version of the FDLQI showed high test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient=0.95) and internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha=0.86). FDLQI scores significantly correlated with DLQI scores (r=0.58, P<0.01, Spearman's rho) and global question (GQ) which measured the patient's skin condition on a visual analog scale (r=0.36, P<0.01). Family members of patients with inflammatory skin diseases showed higher FDLQI scores than those with isolated lesions, but the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.062, Mann-Whitney U-test). Responsiveness to change was demonstrated in a group in which the patient's skin condition was assessed as improved (n=37, r=0.46, P<0.01) but not in that in which it became worse. The difference of the change between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.01). Additionally, the change in FDLQI scores and GQ were significantly correlated (r=0.40, P<0.01). Exploratory factor analysis suggested essential unidimensionality of the instrument. We showed acceptable validity and responsiveness of this Japanese version of FDLQI. Further clinical epidemiological studies are required to confirm this.

Quality of life in Greek family members living with leg ulcer patients.

Leg ulcers have been shown to have a significant impact on a patient's quality of life (QoL). Little is known, however, about the secondary impact of the disease on the QoL of the relatives and partners of patients with leg ulcers. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of chronic leg ulcers on the lives of both patients and their family members. Two hundred sixteen patients with leg ulcers and their family members were recruited. All patients entered were evaluated for QoL using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scale, and family members were similarly evaluated using the Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI).The study included 56 female and 52 male patients, and 50 female and 58 male family members. The FDLQI score for the latter group was 14.37 ± 2.46 with over 96% of family members reporting a large effect on their QoL due to their relative's disease. The DLQI score in patients with leg ulcers was 13.18 ± 2.88. A significant positive and high correlation between DLQI and FDLQI scores (r = 0.71, p < 0.001) was documented, while DLQI contributed significantly to the prediction of FDLQI (standardized β = 0.71, p < 0.001). Our study results indicate that the QoL of the family was also affected by the patient's condition of chronic leg ulcers and clearly associated with that of the patients.

Evaluation of anxiety, depression, and quality of life in patients with acne vulgaris, and quality of life in their families

Abstract Background/Objectives Dermatological diseases not only affect patients' lives but also the lives of their family members. Our aim was to evaluate anxiety and depression risk in patients with acne vulgaris and the effect of acne vulgaris on quality of life of the patients and their families. Methods A total of 125 patients with acne vulgaris, 110 of their family members, and 100 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Patients with acne vulgaris were requested to complete the Acne Quality of Life Scale (AQOL) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) at the time of the first admission and 2 months later. The healthy volunteers were only asked to complete the HAD, and the family members filled out the Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI) at the time of the first admission and 2 months later. Results The acne and control groups showed no significant differences between the HAD anxiety subscale (HAD-A) and HAD depression subscale (HAD-D) scores. The mean AQOL score of the patients was 6.8 ± 5.3. AQOL scores were positively correlated with HAD-A, HAD-D and FDLQI scores. The mean score of the FDLQI was 7.6 ± 5.3. FDLQI scores showed a statistically significant change after 2 months (p = 0.001). Conclusion Acne vulgaris does not have an effect on quality of life and the risk of anxiety or depression. In the cases of acne, when the quality of life decreases, the risk of depression as well as anxiety increases and the quality of life of the family members is negatively affected. Acne vulgaris negatively affects the quality of life of the family members of the patients.

Quality of life in persons living with psoriasis patients

Numerous studies have analyzed the influence of psoriasis on the quality of life and psychosocial health of patients. However, few studies have addressed the effect of this disease on individuals living with these patients (cohabitants). To analyze the influence of psoriasis on the levels of anxiety, depression, and quality of life of the cohabitants of psoriatic patients. The study included patients, cohabitants, and controls, a total of 130 participants. Their quality of life was measured with the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI), and their psychological state with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Demographic data of participants and clinical characteristics of patients were also gathered. The presence of psoriasis impaired the quality of life of 87.8% of the cohabitants. FDLQI scores of cohabitants were significantly associated with the DLQI scores of the patients (rs = 0.554; P < .001). Anxiety and depression levels did not differ between patients and cohabitants, but were significantly higher than in the controls (P < .001). Additional studies with larger numbers of patients and cohabitants are required to analyze differences between groups according to psoriasis severity. Psoriasis markedly worsens the global well-being of patients and their cohabitants, who experienced an impairment of their quality of life and higher levels of anxiety and depression.

Quality of Life in Family Members of Vitiligo Patients: A Questionnaire Study in Saudi Arabia

Many dermatologic disorders are known to adversely affect quality of life (QoL) in close relatives or partners of patients; however, it is unknown whether vitiligo impacts the QoL of family members. The aim of this study was to identify the level and domains in which the QoL of partners/relatives of patients with vitiligo are affected by the disease. A total of 141 patients with vitiligo, along with their family members, were recruited to complete validated QoL questionnaires, including the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI). Family member QoL was affected in 129 (91.5%) of subjects. Mean FDLQI score was 10.3±6.4standard deviation. Higher FDLQI score (greater impairment in QoL) was significantly associated with male patients, a shorter duration of disease, and higher educational levels in family members. The most affected FDLQI items in order of decreasing incidence were emotional impact, burden of care, impact on the physical well-being of the family member, problems due to the reaction of others in response to the patient's skin appearance and effect on social life. Overall FDLQI score and the number of items affected correlated with overall patient DLQI score (p<0.001, r=0.56 and p<0.001, r=0.53, respectively). Vitiligo has a major impact on the QoL of family members of patients and often significantly impairs many aspects of their lives. Educational and supportive programs are recommended for family members of vitiligo patients who are at an increased risk for QoL impairments.

The evaluation of family impact of recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa using the Italian version of the Family Dermatology Life Quality Index

Severe skin diseases, such as epidermolysis bullosa (EB), may have a strong impact not only on patients but also on caregivers. A specific questionnaire evaluating the family impact of dermatological conditions has been created, the Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI), but it has not yet been translated in Italian and validated. To evaluate the burden of recessive dystrophic EB on family caregivers, using for the first time the Italian version of the FDLQI, and to validate the instrument. Patients with recessive dystrophic EB participated in a postal survey enquiring about the burden of EB on family caregivers. They completed the Family Strain Questionnaire and the FDLQI and they marked on a silhouette of the human body the skin lesion distribution. Data on 62 family caregivers were collected. The overall mean FDLQI score was 9.8. The most frequently reported problems were the time spent on looking after the patient, emotional distress, physical well-being, and increased household expenditure. FDLQI scores were higher in family caregivers of patients between 10 and 20 years. The Italian FDLQI showed high internal consistency, construct and convergent validity. Factor analysis revealed the presence of one factor structure underlying the items of the FDLQI, which explained 51.5% of the total variance, very similar to the original questionnaire (55.8%). The Italian version of the FDLQI seems to be a useful tool to evaluate the impact of EB on family caregivers. Further studies are necessary to test this instrument in other dermatological conditions.

The Family Dermatology Life Quality Index: measuring the secondary impact of skin disease

Skin diseases are known to have a major impact on the lives of patients and their families. Many instruments are available to measure the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients but no measure has been developed so far to quantify the secondary impact on family members of the patients. To develop and validate a dermatology-specific instrument to measure the adverse impact on the HRQoL of family members of patients with skin disease. Detailed semi-structured interviews were conducted with family members of patients to identify different aspects of HRQoL affected. An initial draft version of the questionnaire based on the main topic areas was pilot tested to assess the face and content validity. A 10-item questionnaire, the Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI), was finalized after modifications to the draft questionnaire based on feedback from families and dermatology professionals and on item reduction. Psychometric evaluation was conducted on a new cohort of family members (n = 132) who completed the FDLQI and the patients (n = 109) who completed the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Fifty-nine different aspects of family members' HRQoL were identified from the analysis of the interviews, which were categorized into main topic areas. Factor analysis of 10 items of the final questionnaire revealed two factors and together these explained 60% of the common variance. The FDLQI demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.88) and test-retest (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.94) reliabilities. The responsiveness of the instrument to change was shown by significant change in the family members' FDLQI scores in cases where patients' clinical condition either improved or worsened. Construct validity was assessed by testing a number of a priori hypotheses. A strong correlation was seen between the family members' FDLQI scores and patients' DLQI scores (r = 0.69), a significantly higher FDLQI score was seen for inflammatory skin diseases compared with noninflammatory diseases/isolated lesions (P < 0.0001), and there was a positive relationship between the family members' FDLQI scores and patients' disease severity (r = 0.49). The FDLQI is simple and practical and seems to have the potential to be used as an additional outcome measure in clinical practice and evaluation research.