Diagnostic Delay, Disease Burden, Quality of Life, and Psychosocial Impact of Sebaceous Hyperplasia

Sebaceous hyperplasia (SH) is a benign disorder of the pilosebaceous unit that may cause aesthetic and psychosocial burden and is frequently misdiagnosed as other cutaneous lesions, potentially resulting in diagnostic delay. However, few studies have investigated its impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and patient experience. This study aims to evaluate HRQoL in individuals with self-reported sebaceous hyperplasia and to characterize clinical features, diagnostic trajectory, treatment experience, and psychosocial impact. This is a cross-sectional observational mixed-methods study using an online questionnaire. Quantitative analyses will employ the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) alongside self-reported clinical variables, while qualitative analyses will explore emotional burden through free-text responses. The study is expected to contribute to the understanding of the clinical and psychosocial burden of sebaceous hyperplasia and its implications for the patient journey.