Self-reported dermatological problems and use of prescribed topical drugs correlate with decreased quality of life: an epidemiological survey

Background Skin problems are common in the population. Although a substantial fraction of the population suffers from skin conditions, we still have little information on how this affects the everyday life of the individuals concerned. Objectives To evaluate the impact of skin disease on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measured with the Short Form-36 (SF-36), a multidimensional generic HRQOL instrument, from an epidemiological perspective. A further aim was to study differences in HRQOL by use of non-prescription and prescription dermatological drugs. Methods The survey was carried out in the county of Uppland, Sweden in a random sample of 8000 individuals aged 20-84 years, of whom 5404 (68%) answered the questionnaire. Results A large part of the population (20.5%) reported dermatological problems and/or use of topical dermatological drugs, with a higher frequency among women (23.3%) than men (17.3%). Persons reporting dermatological problems scored lower on all eight dimensions of the SF-36. This pattern, although weaker, persisted after adjusting for comorbid somatic as well as psychiatric diseases and complaints. Those using topical dermatological drugs on prescription generally scored lower than the other groups with skin problems: in particular, they evaluated personal health as poorer (general health perceptions), perceived more limitations in daily activities (role limitation because of emotional health problems) and felt more tired and worn out (vitality). Conclusions The study shows that skin disorders constitute a substantial problem in the population and cause a significant decrease in HRQOL. Furthermore, the results of this population survey point out the need for further population-based studies more specifically aimed at dermatological problems and HRQOL.