Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study of the Impact of Cutaneous Lichen Planus on the Quality of Life of Patients at a Tertiary Center in Lagos, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Lichen planus is a darkly pigmented skin disease that impairs the quality of life of patients. The effect of lichen planus on patient's quality of life (QoL) is not widely documented. The study's objective was to determine QoL impairment of LP patients, determine what aspect of QoL is impaired, and correlate clinical and sociodemographic characteristics with QOL impairment. METHODOLOGY: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted from February 2018 to January 2019 at the outpatient dermatology clinic of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria. All consecutive newly diagnosed LP patients who gave their consent were recruited into the study. Socio-demographic data and QoL (using the dermatology life quality index, DLQI) was documented. The hospital's ethical committee gave ethical approval for the study. The patients were clinically examined. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 22. The level of significance of all tests was set at 5%. RESULTS: Quality of life was impaired in 95.5% of the patients. The mean DLQI score was 10±6.7. The minimum DLQI was one and the highest 24. Quality of life was mildly, moderately and severely impaired in 38.01%, 23.81% and 38.01% respectively. Pruritus was significantly associated with QoL impairment. Feelings of embarrassment (54.5%), itchy skin (54.5%), interference with being in public (54.5%), social life (50%) and having to deliberately choose clothes to cover the LP lesions (61.1%) were the main items impaired in the DLQI instrument. CONCLUSION: Lichen planus affects QoL of patients negatively. The items of impairment are feelings of embarrassment, social functioning and choice of clothing.

CONTEXTE: Le lichen planus est une peau foncée maladie qui nuit à la qualité de vie des patients. L'effet du lichen plan sur la qualité de vie du patient (QdV) n'est pas largement documenté. L'objectif de l'étude était de déterminer la qualité de vie altération des patients LP, déterminer quel aspect de la qualité de vie est avec facultés affaiblies et corrélent les problèmes cliniques et sociodémographiques caractéristiques avec altération de la qualité de vie. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Il s'agissait d'un descriptif transversal étude réalisée de février 2018 à janvier 2019 au clinique de dermatologie ambulatoire de l'Université d'État de Lagos Hôpital universitaire, Lagos, Nigéria. Tous consécutifs nouvellement des patients LP diagnostiqués qui ont donné leur consentement ont été recrutés dans l'étude. Données sociodémographiques et qualité de vie (en utilisant le indice de qualité de vie dermatologique, DLQI) a été documenté. Le comité d'éthique de l'hôpital a donné son approbation étudier. Les patients ont été examinés cliniquement. Statistique l'analyse a été effectuée à l'aide de la version 22 de SPSS. la signification de tous les tests a été fixée à 5%. RÉSULTATS: La qualité de vie a été altérée dans 95,5% des les patients. Le score DLQI moyen était de 10 ± 6,7. Le minimum DLQI était l'un et le plus élevé 24. La qualité de vie était modérément, modérément et gravement atteint dans 38,01%, 23,81% et 38,01% respectivement. Le prurit était associé de manière significative avec une altération de la qualité de vie. Sentiments de gêne (54,5%), démangeaisons cutanées (54,5%), interférence avec le fait d'être en public (54,5%), vie sociale (50%) et avoir à choisir délibérément des vêtements pour couvrir les lésions LP (61,1%) étaient les principaux éléments altérés en l'instrument DLQI. CONCLUSION: Le lichen planus affecte la qualité de vie des patients négativement. Les éléments de la déficience sont des sentiments de embarras, fonctionnement social et choix des vêtements. MOTS-CLÉS: Lichen Planus, Qualité de vie, Cuteous, DLQI, Nigeria.

Prospective Cross-Sectional Study of Quality of Life of Vitiligo Patients Using a Vitiligo Specific Quality of Life Instrument.

BACKGROUND: Studies on the QOL of Vitiligo patients are few in Nigeria with consequent limited reports of the relationship between QOL and vitiligo. Also, the VitiQoL has not been used in Nigerian studies. The objective of this study, therefore, was to determine the QOL of Vitiligo patients using the VitiQoL to determine the socio-demographic and clinical factors which impair QOL and the QOL items affected by vitiligo. METHODS: This was a prospective cross-sectional study of 29 newly diagnosed vitiligo patients over a one year period at the skin clinic of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital following ethical approval. Patients were clinically evaluated, clinical and socio-demographic characteristics were documented using a questionnaire designed for the study. Quality of life was assessed using two instruments; the VitiQoL and the DQLI. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) IBM version 22 was used for data analysis and p<0.05 was considered significant for all statistical tests. RESULTS: The mean vitiQoL was 37.4±24.4, the lowest and highest vitiQoL were 0 and 84. QOL was impaired in 96.6% and the severity of impairment was mild, moderate and severe in 27.6%, 24.1% and 44.8% respectively. The items of impairment on the vitiQoL were embarrassment (55.5%), bother (55.2%), frustration (55.2%), people's perception (40.9%), and worry about spread (75.9%). CONCLUSION: The VitiQOL is a reliable instrument for assessing QOL in vitiligo and the main item impacted is stigmatization. Social and clinical factors are independent of QOL impairment.

Cross-Sectional Study of Beliefs, Perceptions, Knowledge of Treatment Modalities and Willingness to Pay for Acne Scar Treatment in Acne Patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: There are limited data on the use of different treatment modalities for acne scar in Nigeria despite their widespread availability. Cost of treatment may limit the number treated despite treatment being desired by patients. Also, it is not known, what the Nigerian patient is willing to pay for these treatments. The aim of this study was to assess: perceptions and attitude towards acne scars, determine awareness that acne scars can be treated, determine the knowledge of acne scar treatment modalities and the willingness to pay for these treatments. METHODOLOGY: Cross sectional descriptive study of 50 adult patients with acne scar aged 18 years and above. Patients were clinically examined for type of acne scar. Socio-demographic data, clinical profile, perception, awareness of acne scar treatment modalities and their availability was documented using a study questionnaire designed for the study. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS version 22. Level of significance of all tests was set at 5%. RESULTS: Type of acne scar was post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation in 84%, ice pick scars in 40%, box scars in 26% and keloids in 16.0%. Awareness that acne scar can be treated was recorded in 74% and embarrassment in 42%. Eighty six percent were willing to pay for their scar treatment. Knowledge of treatment modality had 24% for Laser, 28% for chemical peels and 16% for surgery. Awareness that these treatment modalities are available in Nigeria was low. CONCLUSION: Most individuals are aware and willing to pay for acne scar treatment but knowledge of modality of treatment is poor. The prevalent acne scar is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.