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Adding happiness to complement the Dermatology Quality of Life Index in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis healthcare: a cross-sectional study

  • Clinical Report
  • Published:
European Journal of Dermatology Aims and scope

Abstract

Background

The Dermatology Quality of Life Index (DLQI) is the most commonly used quality of life questionnaire in dermatology.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to compare the DLQI to measures of well-being and general quality of life in patients with chronic inflammatory skin diseases.

Materials & Methods

A cross-sectional study among patients with psoriasis and atopic dermatitis was conducted at a hospital in Munich, Germany (12/2017–04/2019). Participants filled in validated scales measuring happiness, quality of life, and DLQI.

Results

In 102 patients with chronic inflammatory skin diseases, the DLQI was associated only with physical quality of life and negative emotions, and not psychological quality of life or positive affect. The DLQI alone accounted for 26% of variance in general quality of life. Combining DLQI and happiness accounted for a total of 73% of variance, with both variables contributing to the model.

Conclusion

The DLQI alone only partially reflected well-being. Assessing happiness in addition to the widely used DLQI can contribute to a more comprehensive evaluation of well-being.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Alphina Kain for editing and reviewing this manuscript for English language.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Technical University of Munich, Biedersteiner Str. 29, 80802, Munich, Germany

    Barbara Schuster, Stefanie Ziehfreund, Maximilian C. Schielein, Linda Tizek, Tilo Biedermann & Alexander Zink

  2. Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry, and Epidemiology (IBE), Pettenkofer School of Public Health, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany

    Barbara Schuster

  3. Division of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset, 17176, Stockholm, Sweden

    Maximilian C. Schielein & Alexander Zink

  4. Department of Psychology, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562, Lübeck, Germany

    Corinna Peifer

Authors
  1. Barbara Schuster
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  2. Stefanie Ziehfreund
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  3. Maximilian C. Schielein
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  4. Linda Tizek
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  5. Tilo Biedermann
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  6. Corinna Peifer
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  7. Alexander Zink
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Barbara Schuster.

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Financial support

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Conflicts of interest

the authors declare no conflicts of interest.

IRB approval status

this study was reviewed and approved by the local ethics committee of the Technical University of Munich (reference number 424/17S).

Supplementary data

40699_2022_4244_MOESM1_ESM.pdf

Adding happiness to complement the Dermatology Quality of Life Index in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis healthcare: a cross-sectional study

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Schuster, B., Ziehfreund, S., Schielein, M.C. et al. Adding happiness to complement the Dermatology Quality of Life Index in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis healthcare: a cross-sectional study. Eur J Dermatol 32, 220–226 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1684/ejd.2022.4244

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1684/ejd.2022.4244

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