EVALUATION OF QUALITY OF LIFE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH ROSACEA USING DERMATOLOGY LIFE QUALITY INDEX (DLQI) AND THE HOSPITAL ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION SCALE (HADS)

Abstract

Introduction: Rosacea is a chronic skin disease associated with high levels of psychological distress and a significant impact on quality of life.

Objective: To evaluate the quality of life, depression and anxiety in patients with rosacea.

Material and Methods- Seventy-three patients, aged 18 years or above, with a clinical diagnosis of rosacea were included in the study. All patients completed a Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire and a Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) quessionaire.

Results: The mean DLQI score of patients was 7.98 ± 5.86 which signified a moderate impact on quality of life. The mean HADS-A (anxiety) score was 4.83 ± 4.42, while the mean HADS-D (depression) score was 5.22 ± 4.04. Thirteen (17.81%) patients had anxiety HADS-A (?11 points) while 11 (15.07%) patients had depression HADS-D (?11 points). Total DLQI score of patients with rosacea correlated positively with anxiety (r = 0.67, p value- <0.001) and depression (r = 0.49, p value- <0.001)

Conclusion: Rosacea is a distressing disease which has a moderate impact on patient’s QOL. Dermatologists must always be vigilant of the psychosocial aspects of rosacea and should opt for the self-perception of rosacea by patients while prescribing a treatment regimen.

Keywords: Rosacea, dermatology life quality index, DLQI, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, HADS