Dermatology

Author(s):  
Gemma Simcox

Skin disease has a serious impact on an individual’s quality of life. It is well recognized that conditions such as psoriasis may have a similar impact on a patient’s quality of life to chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and depression. Skin problems account for approximately 20% of all patient consultations in primary care in the UK. It is important that clinicians are able to diagnose common skin diseases such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, and cutaneous malignancies and initiate an appropriate management plan. This requires the ability to take a full history and conduct a complete examination. A complete dermatological examination involves examination of the entire skin, mucous membranes, hair, and nails. The description of cutaneous pathologies should include the location and distribution of lesions. The morphology of a lesion or each component of a generalized eruption should be noted. Other organ systems may also need to be examined. The questions in this chapter will test your knowledge of the skin problems that are frequently encountered in non-specialist clinical practice. Other more rare skin disorders are also covered, either because they are potentially life-threatening or because they are a sign of systemic disease. The questions are designed to improve your ability to recognize the morphology and distribution of cutaneous physical signs. Hopefully you will find these questions stimulating and an aid to improving your knowledge of skin disease.

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 1452-1456
Author(s):  
Manish Choudhari ◽  
Nikita Jamadari ◽  
Naresh Jain

Objective - To increase awareness of the psychosocial impact of Kushtha, Visarpa, Mukhadushika, Sheetpitta, Udarda and Kotha in Ayurveda and Acne vulgaris, Urticaria, Various types of fungal infections, Atopic dermatitis, Psoriasis etc. in modern point of view. Quality Of Evidence - A literature review was based on a MEDLINE search (1966 to 2000). Selected articles from the dermatologic and psychiatric literature, as well as other relevant medical journals, were reviewed and used as the basis for discussion of how skin disease affects patients’ lives and of appropriate management. Message - Dermatologic problems hurt patients’ quality of life. skin disease can produce stress, anxiety, anger, depression, low self-esteem, embarrassment, and other psychological, personal, professional and social life problems that affect patients’ lives in ways comparable to arthritis or other disabling illnesses, as well as showing a bidirectional relationship between skin disease and psychological distress. This review focuses on the effects of five common skin diseases seen by family physicians- Acne, Urticaria, Various types of fungal infections, Atopic dermatitis and Psoriasis. Conclusion - How skin disease affects psychosocial well-being is un- derappreciated. Increased understanding of the psychiatric comorbidity associated with skin disease and a biopsy- chosocial approach to management will ultimately improve patients’ lives. Keywords: Skin disease, Psychosocial Impact, Quality of life.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. e0250155
Author(s):  
Milena Ražnatović Đurović ◽  
Milica Đurović ◽  
Janko Janković ◽  
Slavenka Janković

Background Acne is a common skin disease that can affect a person’s quality of life (QoL), self-esteem, and mood in an adverse manner. The aim of the current study was to assess QoL among Montenegrin pupils with acne. Methods This cross-sectional survey was conducted over October and November 2020 in four randomly selected secondary schools in Podgorica, Montenegro. All 500 pupils were asked to fill in a short questionnaire which included questions on age, sex, presence of acne, and for those with acne their duration and location, visits to doctors, presence of any other coexisting skin disease, and family history of acne. Only pupils who self-reported acne were asked to complete the Children’s Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) and the Cardiff Acne Disability Index (CADI). Results Self reported acne were presented in 49.8% (249/500) of all pupils. The mean CDLQI score of the total sample was 4.27 ± 5.13. Overall, the CDLQI domains that were most affected by acne were symptoms and feelings (mean score 1.49 ± 1.43), leisure (mean score 0.94 ± 1.72), and treatment (0.66 ± 0.79). The mean total CADI score was 3.53 ± 3.11 which was higher in girls (4.07 ± 3.11) than in boys (2.90 ± 3.00). There was good correlation between the two questionnaires (Rho = 0.76; P < 0.01). According to multiple linear regressions, higher overall CDLQI score was found in pupils with acne who reported other skin diseases, while girls, pupils who reported both acne on face and back, and who had any concomitant skin disease had higher CADI total score. Conclusions Acne affects QoL of young adolescents in Montenegro with greater impact in girls. Our findings should point out the importance of timely diagnosis, treatment, and education of adolescents with acne.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-120
Author(s):  
Dr. Deepika Gurram ◽  

Introduction: Skin diseases can adversely affect the quality of life of an individual. Adolescence is acritical time in biophysical development and adverse skin conditions during this period can alter thegrowth in self-confidence and self-esteem and social engagement. Purpose: The present study wasdesigned to assess the burden, the pattern of skin diseases and their impact on their quality of life inadolescent students. Materials and Methods: A total of 23 schools having 3581 students between10-16 years of age were visited, out of which 3367 students were covered and screened. Skincharacteristics such as the severity of skin disease were recorded by the attended physician. Adermatology life quality index (DLQI) questionnaire was used to assess the effect of skin diseases ontheir quality of life. Results: Among the total cases 2,783 (82%) had skin diseases, of the651(19%) had two or more 2 skin diseases. Prevalence of infectious skin diseases was more in (10-12) young age groups 78.5% as compared to (13-16) later age groups of 55.2% (p<0.01).Pediculosis (52%) has a high point of prevalence, followed by scabies (25%), Pityriasis alba (6.6%),Seborrheic dermatitis (5%), Pyoderma (3.3%), Acne (2.6%) and Tinea (2%). Pediculosis andscabies together constitute 77% of all skin diseases. Conclusion: Good hygiene practices likeregular bathing, regular head wash, and hand wash should be taught to children. Hence training ofschool teachers and PHC doctors regarding the management of common skin diseases and Healtheducation to parents or guardians of children about Hygienic measures, sexual behaviour and needof seeking medical advice.


2012 ◽  
Vol 87 (5) ◽  
pp. 697-702 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magda Blessmann Weber ◽  
Daniel Lorenzini ◽  
Clarissa Prieto Herman Reinehr ◽  
Bárbara Lovato

BACKGROUND: Skin diseases cause negative impact on the emotional state, social relationships and daily activities, due to the stigma caused by the appearance of the lesions. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the quality of life of pediatric patients with skin diseases attending a dermatology service, compare the scores obtained among the dermatoses found in the sample and associate them to the variables, in addition to observing how the skin disease specifically affects quality of life. METHODS: Cross-sectional study, with patients between 5 and 16 years attending the Dermatology Service of the University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Brazil, between July 2010 and February 2011. The data collection instruments were the Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index questionnaire and the AUEQI questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 161 patients were interviewed, with mean age of 9,66 years. The main dermatoses were atopic dermatitis (29.8%), warts (13%) and molluscum contagiosum (7.5%). Chronic diseases (73.9%) were the most prevalent. The overall mean Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index score was 5.01 for chronic dermatoses and 2.07 for acute illnesses, indicating a compromised quality of life among chronically ill patients. The comparison between the scores obtained with the AUEQI scale and the Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index scores indicates that the overall quality of life is less affected than the specific quality of life related to the dermatosis. CONCLUSIONS: The data presented reinforce how important it is that the patients, their families and caregivers understand the symptoms, triggers and treatment of the skin disease in question. This information facilitates adherence to the treatment and justifies the conduct adopted by the dermatologist.


2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Karina N. Gonzales-Carait ◽  
Rowena F. Genuino ◽  
Katrina Angela Z. Reyes ◽  
Belen L. Dofitas

Background. Skin diseases that are longstanding or highly symptomatic can have devastating consequences in the quality of life of children. There is a need to have a validated Filipino translation of a dermatology quality of life tool for young patients with skin diseases. Objectives. To assess the validity and reliability of the Indeks ng Kalidad ng Buhay Pang-dermatolohiya ng mga Bata (IKPaB), a Filipino translation of the Children’s Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI). Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted among children aged 4 to 16 years at a tertiary hospital outpatient department. The IKPaB was pretested and revised using focus group discussion until it was approved by the original developers for validation. Face validity was determined through cognitive debriefing interviews. Construct validity was determined by comparing IKPaB scores of participants with skin disease and without skin disease using Mann-Whitney U test. Criterion validity was determined by comparing IKPaB with a validated Filipino-translated PedsQL as the criterion, using Spearman rank correlation. Internal consistency reliability was determined using Cronbach’s coefficient. Multiple regression was used to correlate age, sex and disease duration. Results. The IKPaB was assessed to be comprehensible, clear, and culturally appropriate. Among 288 participants, it showed satisfactory construct validity (U = 8849, Z= 0.87; P = 0.89) and internal consistency reliability (α = 0.89), with a negative but weak correlation with the PedsQL® (rho= -0.300, P = 0.000). Conclusion. The IKPaB is a valid and reliable Filipino translation of CDLQI. We recommend further validation for use in clinical practice and research.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. e0244765
Author(s):  
Yik Weng Yew ◽  
Amanda Hui Yu Kuan ◽  
Lixia Ge ◽  
Chun Wei Yap ◽  
Bee Hoon Heng

Background While it is well established that skin disease places significant psychosocial burden on a patient’s wellbeing, its effects have rarely been examined in Asian populations. Objective Evaluate the psychosocial burden of skin disease among community-dwelling adults in Singapore. Methods This cross-sectional study included 1510 participants interviewed on their history of thirteen skin diseases. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Lubben Social Network Scale-6 (LSNS-6), University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale, and European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions- 5 Level (EQ-5D-5L) were used as measures for depressive symptoms, social isolation, loneliness and quality of life respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine the association of skin diseases with each of the four measured outcomes. Results Participants with skin diseases reported significantly higher PHQ-9 and UCLA Loneliness scale scores, and lower LSNS-6 and EQ-5D-5L scores when compared to their healthy counterparts. The presence of skin disease was positively associated with depressive symptoms (B = 0.40, SE = 0.11), and negatively associated with quality of life (B = -0.03, SE = 0.01). As disease severity was not evaluated in this study, we were unable to ascertain the associations between disease severity and measured outcomes. Conclusion Participants with skin diseases were more likely to have depressive symptoms, social isolation, loneliness and lower quality of life. Unemployed, single and elderly patients were at higher risk of developing depressive symptoms. More emphasis should be placed on the psychosocial aspect of care to reduce the burden of skin disease. Some considerations include monitoring patients for mood-related changes and implementing early psychosocial interventions.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josefina Piñón Hofbauer ◽  
Verena Wally ◽  
Christina Guttmann-Gruber ◽  
Iris Gratz ◽  
Ulrich Koller

Although rare genodermatoses such as Epidermolysis bullosa have received more attention over the last years, no approved treatment options targeting causal mutations are currently available. Still, such diseases can be devastating, in some cases even associated with life-threatening secondary manifestations. Therefore, developing treatments that target disease-associated complications along with causal therapies remains the focus of current research efforts, in order to increase patient’s quality of life and potentially their life expectancy. Epidermolysis bullosa is a genodermatosis that is caused by mutations in either one of 16 genes, predominantly encoding structural components of the skin and mucosal epithelia that are crucial to give these barrier organs physical and mechanical resilience to stress. The genetic heterogeneity of the disease is recapitulated in the high variability of phenotypic expressivity observed, ranging from minor and localized blistering to generalized erosions and wound chronification, rendering certain subtypes a systemic disease that is complicated by a plethora of secondary manifestations. During the last decades, several studies have focused on developing treatments for EB patients and significant progress has been made, as reflected by numerous publications, patents, and registered trials available. Overall, strategies range from causal to symptom-relieving approaches, and include gene, RNA and cell therapies, as well as drug developments based on biologics and small molecules. In this chapter, we highlight the most recent and promising approaches that are currently being investigated in order to provide effective treatments for patients with epidermolysis bullosa in the future.


Author(s):  
Steven J. Ersser

The aim of this chapter is to provide nurses with the knowledge to be able to assess, manage, and care for people with skin conditions in an evidence-based and person-centred way. The chapter will provide a comprehensive overview of the commonest skin diseases and their causes before exploring best practice to assess and help patients to manage skin conditions. Nursing priorities are highlighted throughout, and the nursing management of the symptoms and common health problems associated with skin conditions can be found in Chapters 19, 20, 21, 24, 27, and 28 on skin care and the maintenance of skin hygiene, skin barrier integrity, the prevention of skin breakdown, and wound management, respectively. Skin care is a fundamental area of nursing responsibility. The skin, or integumentary system, is the largest organ of the body and has significant protective and thermoregulatory functions. Skin disease is common, accounting for approximately 24% of GP visits (Schofield et al., 2009). It may have a major psychosocial impact on a person’s quality of life through its influence on appearance, body image, and self-esteem. This chapter introduces you to the common skin diseases that you are likely to encounter when caring for adult patients and outlines the nursing problems that you will need to manage. The cause or aetiology of common skin conditions lies with the interaction between genetic and environmental factors. For example, a child’s eczema is influenced by his or her genotype and his or her exposure to environmental allergens. Within the UK population, 23–25% have a skin problem at some time in their lives that can benefit from medical care (Schofield et al., 2009). Skin problems are the commonest reason for consulting a GP, with 6% referred for specialist advice. As such, all registered nurses should have the knowledge and skills to manage the common conditions. The commonest skin conditions in the Western hemisphere are chronic inflammatory skin diseases (CISDs), such as eczema. In developing countries, the common conditions are infections and infestations. The quality-of-life impact of CISDs can exceed that for life-threatening conditions such as cancer (Rapp et al., 1999; Kingman, 2005).


Author(s):  
T. Sangeetha ◽  
Raghu M. T. ◽  
Nataraj G. R. ◽  
V. Sharath Kumar ◽  
Y. Satya Krishna ◽  
...  

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> <span lang="EN-IN">The goal of the study was to assess the prescribing pattern, pattern of skin diseases among the patients and to assess the impact of quality of life in various Skin diseases of dermatological patients by using dermatological quality life index (DLQI). The present study aims at improving the patient’s knowledge towards their disease and medication and also to measure the improvement of Quality of life of patients.</span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> <span lang="EN-IN">A prospective observational study was carried out for a period of six months at Department of Dermatology Basaveshwara Medical College and Hospital, Chitradurga</span>.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> <span lang="EN-IN">Total 150 patients are included. 58 was males and 92 were females. The most skin disease is seen in the age group of 21-40 (40.7%). Majorly skin disease are seen in the illiterate people is (62%), (70.7%) married and 15.3% of socio-economic status of the patients. The major skin disease are seen in the study are psoriasis (12.66%), scabies (16.66%), dermatitis (9.33) and followed by urticaria (6.66%), eczema (4.66%), acne (5.33%). Anti-histamines (16.6%), emollients (9.33%), corticosteroids (9.33%), anti puritics (6.66%), kerotolyte (6.66%) are majorly prescribed drugs. The study showed that there was an extremely significant improvement in DLQI of patients in comparison with first visit result and follow up visit. Whose P value is (&lt;0.001) extremely significant. </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> <span lang="EN-IN">Therefore the pharmacist patient education found to have significant influence on improves the patient knowledge towards their disease and medication which shows the positive impact on quality of life among the patients of skin diseases.</span></p>


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 143-149
Author(s):  
C.A. Verdeja-Robles ◽  
C.E. Velazquez-De la Rosa ◽  
A. Gutiérrez-Morgas

Abstract Objective: to know the prevalence of depression in patients with moderate-severe acne vulgaris. Hypothesis: the incidence of depression increases in patients with moderate-severe acne vulgaris and will therefore decrease the quality of life. Background: acne is a very frequent dermatosis in the outpatient clinic, it is not considered a life-threatening disease. It has been associated with negative emotional status. Also, suffering from it for a long time has been associated with depression, anxiety and frustration. The complications of acne in the psychosocial aspect are related to academic or vocational performance, self-esteem and adolescents’ quality of life. Materials and Methods: the type of study was retrospective cross-sectional descriptive observational study. The sampling was carried out at the facilities of the Popular Autonomous University of the State of Puebla, taking into account any person within the institutional organisation within the range of 12-20 years of age, with a total of 50 participants. The Hamilton assessment scale of depression and the Cardiff Acne disability index were applied to all patients with dermatological diagnosis of moderate-severe vulgar acne in a period between February-October 2019. Results: a total of 50patients were analysed, of which 28 were women aged 12 to 20 years and 22 men (28 women and 13 men) and severe acne in 9 patients, all over 17 years of age and male. According to the degree of depression, 28% (n = 14) of the patients were obtained without some degree of depression; 60% (n = 30) with minor depression; 12% (n = 6) with moderate depression. Regarding the quality of life: 40% (n = 20) of the patients showed good quality of life, 46% (n = 23) regular quality of life and 14% (n = 7) showed poor quality of life. Conclusion: orderly study of the psychic impact of acne and other skin diseases on people suffering them is recent and is carried out through questionnaires that try to measure the impact the diseases have on the patients’ quality of life.


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