Cross-sectional study demonstrates substantial quality-of-life impairment in young patients with dermatoses, highlighting the need for routine psychosocial assessment in clinical care.
Background: Skin diseases are among the most prevalent health conditions worldwide, often causing more psychosocial morbidity than physical harm. Despite their non-lethal nature, chronic and visible dermatoses can profoundly impair an individual’s quality of life (QoL), particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to dermatologic and psychosocial care is limited. Objective: This study aimed to assess the impact of skin diseases on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of affected individuals and their families, and to explore how quality of life assessment tools can be integrated into dermatological care to enhance patient-centered treatment and monitoring. Methods: A mixed-method descriptive cross-sectional was conducted among 384 patients with clinically diagnosed skin diseases attending dermatology outpatient clinics. Data were collected using validated instruments: the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Children’s DLQI (CDLQI), and Family DLQI (FDLQI). Socio-demographic and clinical data were also obtained. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, and Pearson’s correlation were used to analyze the data at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: Acne vulgaris (26.6%), atopic dermatitis (19.8%), and tinea infections (16.9%) were the most prevalent conditions. The mean DLQI score was 12.8 (±4.6), indicating a substantial impact on QoL, with nearly 60% of participants reporting a very large or extremely large effect. QoL impairment was significantly associated with age (r = 0.231, p = 0.016), gender (p = 0.000), educational status (p = 0.001), and socioeconomic status (p = 0.000). Qualitative feedback from participants highlighted the psychological, social, and economic burden of skin conditions, and supported the integration of QoL tools in clinical care. Conclusion: Skin diseases significantly affect the quality of life of patients and their families, particularly among females, adolescents, and individuals of lower socioeconomic status. The use of standardized QoL assessment tools can enhance holistic, patient-centered dermatological care by informing treatment decisions, identifying at-risk patients, and improving clinical outcomes.
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Chuhwak et al. (2026) studied this question.
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