Changes in quality of life in persons with eczema and psoriasis after treatment in departments of dermatology.
The objective of this study was to assess the impact of chronic dermatological diseases on quality of life (QoL) of Norwegian patients following in-patient management. QoL was measured by the Norwegian version of the Dermatology Life Quality Index, a validated, self-administered questionnaire. Adult in-patients with psoriasis and eczema were selected for one year from the dermatological departments in Norway. A total of 212 patients were included, and 126 patients (50% men, 85 with psoriasis and 41 with eczema, mean age 46 years) completed the questionnaires at time of hospital admission and one week after discharge. The patients reported adverse impact on QoL, but no differences between the psoriasis and eczema groups could be demonstrated. Patients with psoriasis improved from 18.3 (7.6) (mean (SD)) to 12.1 (8.2) (p < 0.01), and those with eczema improved from 20.0 (6.0) to 14.4 (7.8) (p < 0.01). Seventy percent of the patients showed improvement, 20% remained unchanged and 10% worsened. The parameters for which the most improvement was seen were those that were of most concern to the patients, i.e. their symptoms and embarrassment. In conclusion, the results are consistent with previous international studies.
Wahl
Astrid K
AK
Faculty of Nursing Education, Oslo University College, Oslo, Norway. astrid.wahl@su.hio.no
Mørk
Cato
C
Lillehol
Bodil Mørk
BM
Myrdal
Anne M
AM
Helland
Svein
S
Hanestad
Berit R
BR
Moum
Torbjørn
T
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003880:Dermatology; D004485:Eczema / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006748:Hospital Departments; D006801:Humans; D007641:Keratolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D007641:Keratolytic Agents