Assessment of the quality of life of patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, 2009-2010. A pilot study

• Published in: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Vol. 107; no. 5; pp. 335 - 336
• Main Authors: Toledo, Antonio Carlos de Castro, da Silva, Rosiana Estéfane, Carmo, Rose Ferraz, Amaral, Thaís Alves, Luz, Zélia Maria Profeta, Rabello, Ana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford University Press 01-05-2013
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Brazil; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; General aspects; Human protozoal diseases; Humans; Infectious diseases; Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous - psychology; Leshmaniasis; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Neglected Diseases - psychology; Parasitic diseases; Pilot Projects; Protozoal diseases; Quality of Life - psychology; South America; Brazil; America; Cutaneous leishmaniasis; Neglected tropical diseases; Brazil; Sectional study; Quality of life; Human; Skin disease; Protozoal disease; Parasitosis; Infection; Neglected disease; Tropical disease; Tropical medicine
• ISSN: 0035-9203; 1878-3503
• DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trt021

Background
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) may manifest as single or multiple skin lesions, causing significant aesthetic impact and affecting the patient's quality of life (QoL). The objective of this study was to assess the impact of CL on the QoL.
Methods
The QoL of 20 patients with CL was assessed by the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI).
Results
For 70% of patients CL had a moderate/large impact on their QoL, with 'Work and School' being the most affected domain. This is the first study to use the DLQI to assess the impact of CL.
Conclusion
CL has a moderate to large negative effect on QoL.