Health-related quality of life in adult atopic dermatitis and psoriatic patients matched by disease severity

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis have significant negative impact on patients' lives. Objective of this study was to compare the impact of psoriasis and AD in adult patients matched by disease severity and to perform further validation of the Ukrainian versions of the DLQI and Skindex-16 in these skin conditions. METHODS: Sixty-three adult AD and 63 psoriatic patients matched by disease severity according to SCORAD and PASI were enrolled. Patients completed the Ukrainian versions of the DLQI and Skindex-16 questionnaires. Cronbach's alpha was used to measure internal consistency of the Ukrainian versions of the DLQI and Skindex-16. RESULTS: All three scales of Skindex-16 and the DLQI were internally reliable. Mean DLQI was 10.63 +/- 6.15 for AD patients and 11.59 +/- 7.18 for psoriatic patients (P=0.43). The highest scored question of the DLQI concerned symptoms tends the highest scored item for Skindex-16 was "frustration about skin condition". The DLQI item on treatment was scored higher by psoriatic patients (1.32 +/- 0.98 and AD = 0.73 +/- 0.79, P<0.001). "Functioning" scale of Skindex-16 was assessed higher by psoriatic patients in all clinical subgroups and "Emotions" scale in subgroup with mild disease severity. Skindex-16 item on itching was assessed higher by AD patients (3.65 +/- 2.03 for AD and 2.92 +/- 1.95 for psoriatic patients, P<0.05) meanwhile, two other separate Skindex-16 items had higher impact on psoriatic patients: the effect of skin condition on desire to be with people (3.51 +/- 2.18 for psoriatic patients and 2.29 +/- 2.09 for AD patients, P<0.05) and skin condition making it hard to show the affection (3.51 +/- 2.18 for psoriatic patients and 2.24 +/- 2.09 for AD patients, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Psoriasis has higher effect on desire to be with people, showing affection and cause more problems with the treatment, meanwhile in AD itching cause higher negative impact on QoL. Even psoriatic patients with mild disease often may have large negative effect on their QoL that is not typical for AD patients.