Studying the satisfaction of patients on the outcome of an aesthetic dermatological filler treatment.
BACKGROUND
Many factors contribute to extend productive life in the modern world. Competition makes people worry about physical appearance, mostly in respect to facial and skin aging. This has motivated new developments in cosmetic dermatology and the need of evaluating patient satisfaction with the new proposed treatments. Poll questionnaire has been used for such evaluation, and the analysis of the electroencephalogram (EEG) mapping obtained while the patient answers the satisfaction questionnaire may render the results less subjective.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this paper is to study the satisfaction of a group of 33 women (mean age, 44 years) treated with hyaluronic acid filling of nasolabial folding or lips, combining the EEG brain mapping and questionnaire techniques.


METHODS
At the third month of evaluation, two networked personal computers were used for the EEG recording and for presenting the patient with a questionnaire about her well-being feeling; self-evaluation of her face; her satisfaction with the results of the aesthetic treatment; how the family, friends, and people at work evaluated the result of the treatment; and her decision to repeat the treatment and to recommend it to friends and family.


RESULTS
Poll results showed that patients were feeling well and were satisfied with the results of the aesthetic treatment. Furthermore, the regression EEG mappings showed patients to be satisfied with their appearance and with the treatment involving similar brain areas.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients decided to undergo the treatment because they were already considering it (54%) or because they were dissatisfied with their lips or nasolabial folding (52%). The fact that the treatment was free of charge solidified the decision. Patients consider themselves as good-looking and they wanted to preserve such a condition.
de Arruda
Lúcia Helena Fávaro
LH
Department of Dermatology, Catholic University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. arrudas@dglnet.com.br
Rocha
Fábio Theoto
FT
Rocha
Armando
A
D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001931:Brain Mapping; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007271:Injections, Intradermal; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011788:Quality of Life; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012060:Rejuvenation; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000187:drug effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid