Effect of topical steroid-dependent facial dermatitis on quality of life: A hospital-based cross-sectional study using DLQI

Abstract

Background: The rampant, disturbing, and dismal unrestricted use of topical corticosteroids on face results in steroid-induced dermatitis termed topical steroid-dependent face (TSDF). It is an embarrassing and irritating condition for a patient. There is paucity of data from India regarding the effect of TSDF on the quality of life (QoL) of such patients. Aims: The aim of this study was to study the effect of TSDF on the QoL of patients with the help of a validated, easy-to-use, and reproducible dermatology life quality index (DLQI). Methods: A cross-sectional study was done among the outpatients seeking treatment for TSDF at a tertiary care hospital of a medical college. Patients were administered Hindi questionnaire version of DLQI. Controls were apparently healthy age- and sex-matched individuals. Results: DLQI scores revealed that TSDF had some effect on QoL in 98.11% of study patients. Study group had a mean DLQI score of 11.49. Statistically significant higher DLQI scores were recorded among females, patients aged <20 years and those who had no formal education/illiterate. Conclusions: TSDF affects QoL in majority of patients and it has a very large effect on the QoL in more than one-third of the patients.

Keywords

• life quality index
• quality of life
• steroid addiction
• steroid dermatitis
• topical steroid-dependent face