Quality of life in patients with topical steroid-dependent facies: A cross-sectional study
Sagar Nawani, Vivek Sagar, Pravesh Yadav, Garima Dabas, Aditi GuptaObjectives:
There has been widespread abuse of corticosteroids in all parts of the world, especially developing countries like India, due to the absence of regulatory guidelines regarding the sale and purchase of steroids. There is paucity of data from India regarding the effect of topical steroid-dependent facies (TSDF) on the quality of life (QoL).
Materials and Methods:
The study aimed to study the effect of TSDF on the QoL of patients with the help of the validated dermatology life quality Index (DLQI). A hospital-based cross-sectional study was done among the outpatients seeking treatment for TSDF at a tertiary care hospital in Delhi. Clinically diagnosed patients of TSDF were administered the English and Hindi questionnaire version of DLQI. Student t -test and analysis of variance were applied for comparison of means. Scores for continuous variables were correlated by Pearson’s correlation formula.
Results:
A total of 100 patients, comprising 88 females and 12 males, were included in the study. All patients had some effect on QoL as per DLQI, and the mean DLQI was 11.43 ± 3.97. The most common symptom was itching (n = 90), followed by dryness (n = 87). The most common signs were telangiectasia (n = 87), followed by epidermal atrophy (n = 64). There was no significant correlation between DLQI and age ( p = 0.51), gender ( p = 0.65), duration of use of topical corticosteroids ( p = 0.60), occupation ( p = 0.92), education ( p = 0.69), and family history ( p = 0.27).
Conclusion:
TSDF affects QoL in the majority of patients, and it has a very large effect on the QoL in 59% of patients.