[Significant decrease in quality of life in patients with pemphigus vulgaris. Results from the German Bullous Skin Disease (BSD) Study Group].
BACKGROUND
Pemphigus vulgaris is a potentially life-threatening autoimmune disorder of the skin and mucous membranes characterized by antibodies against epidermal adhesion molecules. Clinically characteristic are painful chronic blisters or erosions of mucous membranes and skin. There are no published studies on the impact o this disease on quality of life.


METHODS
This registration was performed within the scope of the German BSD (Bullous Skin Disease) study group, from November 1997 until January 2002. A total of 36 patients with the first diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris were registered at the university hospitals of Dresden, Erlangen, Kiel, Mannheim, München and Würzburg. Thirty of the 36 (83 %) patients participated in the quality of life questionnaire utilizing the German version of 'Dermatology Life Quality Index' (DLQI) provided by A. Y. Finlay. The DLQI varies from 0 to 30 with an increased DLQI score indicating a decrease in quality of quality.


RESULTS
The overall DLQI total score of 10 +/- 6.7 in the investigated pemphigus patients was significantly increased in comparison to other skin diseases.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that the DLQI can be a very useful additional outcome criteria for clinical studies with pemphigus vulgaris and in the treatment of these patients.
Mayrshofer
Franziska
F
Dermatologische Klinik mit Poliklinik, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität, Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany.
Hertl
Michael
M
Sinkgraven
Ronald
R
Sticherling
Michael
M
Pfeiffer
Christiane
C
Zillikens
Detlef
D
Messer
Gerald
G
Rzany Für Die Deutschebsd-Studiengruppe
Berthold
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010392:Pemphigus; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires