Quality of Life in Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus
March 2011
in “
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
”
TLDR Patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus have a severely impaired quality of life, especially emotionally.
The study on cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) found that the disease significantly impaired patients' quality of life, particularly in emotional and functional domains, more so than other dermatologic conditions and comparable to serious medical conditions. The research, which included 157 patients, identified female gender, severe or generalized disease, younger age, and lesion distribution as key factors contributing to poorer quality of life. The study highlighted the need for comprehensive care strategies that address both physical and psychological aspects, suggesting that dermatologists should screen for psychiatric distress and consider therapy changes even for patients with mild skin disease but severely impaired quality of life.
