International Journal of Medicine and Pharmacy

Quality of Life of Patients with Lichen Simplex Chronicus
Georgieva F., Vankova D.

Abstract
Lichen Simplex Chronicus (LSC) is a skin disorder affecting patient's psychosocial and functional status. It is associated with severe pruritus, sleep disturbances, anxiety, and depression. Patients with LSC tend to have poor social skills or interpersonal resources and a lack of flexibility. Therefore, a study of their self-reported health status alongside with a clinical investigation is a necessary precondition for successful therapeutic results. The aim of the study is to assess the impact of LSC on patients’ quality of life (QoL) with a standardized dermatology-specific quality of life instrument- Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Further, the influences of specific disease-related and socio-demographic characteristics on QoL have been analyzed. Materials and Methods: The presented QoL-study enrolls 190 outpatients diagnosed with LSC. It is a part of a wider research project on LSC. Demographic data and disease-related characteristics were collected in addition to the DLQI questionnaire. Individuals with psychiatric disorders and/or those using antidepressants have been excluded. The DLQI instrument consists of 10 questions (Q1 to Q10) grouped in six domains. The use of the standardized instrument allows some international comparisons. Results and Discussion: The total DLQI score reported by the LSC-patients is 8.58 ± 3.348. Consequently, LSH moderately affects the QoL of the patients. Patients scores were significantly high for Q1 (symptoms), Q9 (sexual difficulties) and Q10 (treatment) (p< 0=001). All the reported and analyzed results indicate that LSH has a negative impact on all the QoL-domains for every patient (p0.001). No significant relationship could be found between patients’ QoL and disease-related (duration and stage) and social characteristics (urban/rural and level of education) (p=0.194).Specific for our patients was high score for Q10 (treatment) (median 2.00, range 1.00-2.00) (p< 0=001).This is the first study in our country, which aims to measure the impact of LSH on patients’ QoL between both male and female. DLQI proved to be a simple and practical questionnaire technique for routine clinical use.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/ijmp.v4n1a3