Quality of Life of Patients with Allergic Contact Dermatitis: An Exploratory Analysis by Gender, Ethnicity, Age, and Occupation

Background:Little has been published regarding the impact of gender, ethnicity, age, and occupation on the quality of life (QoL) of patients with allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). Objectives:This study investigated the relationship between QoL scores for patients with ACD and variables such as gender, ethnicity, age, and occupation. Methods:Four hundred twenty-eight patients with ACD were mailed a QoL questionnaire modified from Skindex-16 to include an additional five items pertaining to occupational impact. The QoL scores were analyzed to ascertain factors that affect QoL in patients with ACD. Results:The response rate was 35%. Non-Caucasians reported lower QoL scores than did Caucasians within the functioning scale. There were no statistically significant gender-related differences in QoL scores although females reported a higher degree of emotional distress. Younger subjects were more likely to have lower QoL scores within the functioning and occupational scales. Industrial workers reported the worst occupational QoL, followed by office workers. Occupation was the variable that significantly affected the greatest number of survey subjects, followed by age, ethnicity, and gender. Conclusions:Three of the four variables examined had a significant association with QoL. Non-Caucasians, younger subjects, and industrial workers reported a significantly worse QoL due to ACD. There were no statistically significant gender-related differences in QoL scores.