Results of a quality of life questionnaire in a patch test clinic population

There has been increasing interest in quality of life outcomes, but there h as been little reported on this topic for individuals with contact dermatit is. The objectives of this study were (i) to pilot a dermatology-specific q uality of life instrument to assess its acceptability in a patch test clini c population, (ii) to see the effects of contact dermatitis on the patients ' lives and (iii) to determine what factors may influence quality of life o utcomes in this population. A dermatology-specific quality of life instrume nt was modified and used for 339 patients undergoing patch testing in a con tact dermatitis clinic. The most common effect was pain or itching in 61%. Approximately 1/3 noted embarrassment, interference with work, or sleep dis turbance. Other concerns were reported by less than 25% of the population. On multivariate analysis, the key factor influencing most outcomes was hand involvement. The instrument was well accepted by the clinic population and is now being used in a prospective study of outcomes. In the population as sessed, it demonstrated the effects of disease. Analysis suggests that a ke y factor influencing these quality of life outcomes is hand involvement.