Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris: A Study Evaluating Patient Quality of Life in Two Populations

    August 2019 in “ Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology ”
    A. Brooke Eastham, Elizabeth Tkachenko, Alisa N. Femia, Lisa Pappas‐Taffer, Misha Rosenbach, Cara Joyce, Stephanie Liu, Ruth Ann Vleugels
    TLDR Pityriasis rubra pilaris significantly worsens quality of life more than many other health conditions.
    This study evaluated the impact of pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP) on the quality of life (QoL) in 2 populations: an international online PRP support group (121 members) and patients from Partners Healthcare System (14 patients). Using validated QoL measures (Skindex-29, DLQI, SF-36), it was found that PRP significantly worsened QoL compared to other dermatologic conditions. Factors such as alopecia, joint pain, and palmoplantar keratoderma were associated with poorer QoL. The study highlighted that PRP patients experienced worse QoL than those with conditions like myocardial infarction, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Despite limitations like small sample size and potential selection bias, this was the first and largest study to assess PRP's impact on QoL, emphasizing the need for further research on treatment options and their effects on QoL.
    Discuss this study in the Community →