title: Effects of alitretinoin on quality of life of patients having chronic hand eczema: an observational study.
abstract: Chronic hand eczema (CHE) is a common disease that has a major impact on patients' health and on society.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this observational, open-label study was to assess the efficacy of treatment with 30 mg/d of oral alitretinoin on the quality of life (QoL) in a group of patients affected by CHE.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study included 15 patients, all suffering from severe CHE refractory to treatment with potent topical corticosteroids, who underwent treatment with 30 mg/d of alitretinoin for a period of 3 months. At the 1- and 3-month points, together with a clinical evaluation, the QoL of these patients were evaluated by the Dermatology Life Quality Index and visual analog scale (EQ5D-VAS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The oral administration of alitretinoin led to a notable QoL improvement among the patients, as shown by the statistically significant improvement in the Dermatology Life Quality Index and in the EQ5D-VAS after 1 and 3 months of therapy.
authors.affiliation: Allergological and Occupational Dermatology, Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gola
authors.forename: Angelo Massimiliano
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: D'Erme
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Milanesi
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marmugi
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000077556:Alitretinoin; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004485:Eczema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D006261:Headache / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D000077556:Alitretinoin; D014212:Tretinoin