The Role of Therapy in Impairing Quality of Life in Dermatological Patients: A Multinational Study

The study, involving 3,846 dermatological patients from 13 European countries, found that therapy for skin conditions significantly reduces patients' health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), it was revealed that a majority of patients with atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, prurigo, hidradenitis suppurativa, and blistering conditions reported negative impacts from therapy. The greatest reductions in HRQOL were observed in patients with blistering conditions, allergic/drug reactions, psoriasis, vasculitis/immunological ulcers, atopic dermatitis, and venous leg ulcers. The study emphasized the need for clinical guidelines to consider the burden of treatment when planning therapy and for the development of new dermatological therapies that minimize treatment-related quality of life impairment. It also suggested that HRQOL instruments should include therapy-related questions to better assess the burden of skin disease.