Time to resolution and effect on quality of life of molluscum contagiosum in children in the UK: a prospective community cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Molluscum contagiosum is one of the 50 most prevalent diseases worldwide, but scarce epidemiological data exist for childhood molluscum contagiosum. We aimed to describe the time to resolution, transmission to household child contacts, and effect on quality of life of molluscum contagiosum in children in the UK. METHODS: Between Jan 1, and Oct 31, 2013, we recruited 306 children with molluscum contagiosum aged between 4 and 15 years in the UK either by referral by general practitioner or self-referral (with diagnosis made by parents by use of the validated Molluscum Contagiosum Diagnostic Tool for Parents [MCDTP]). All participants were asked to complete a questionnaire at recruitment about participant characteristics, transmission, and quality of life. We measured quality of life with the Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI). Participants were prospectively followed up every month to check on their recovery from molluscum contagiosum and transmission to other children in the same household, until the child's lesions were no longer visible. FINDINGS: The mean time to resolution was 13·3 months (SD 8·2). 80 (30%) of 269 cases had not resolved by 18 months; 36 (13%) had not resolved by 24 months. We recorded transmission to other children in the household in 102 (41%) of 250 cases. Molluscum contagiosum had a small effect on quality of life for most participants, although 33 (11%) of 301 participants had a very severe effect on quality of life (CDLQI score >13). A greater number of lesions was associated with a greater effect on quality of life (H=55·8, p<0·0001). INTERPRETATION: One in ten children with molluscum contagiosum is likely to have a substantial effect on their quality of life and therefore treatment should be considered for some children, especially those with many lesions or who have been identified as having a severe effect on quality of life. Patients with molluscum contagiosum and their parents need to be given accurate information about the expected natural history of the disorder. Our data provide the most reliable estimates of the expected time to resolution so far and can be used to help set realistic expectations. FUNDING: Wales School of Primary Care Research (WSPCR) and Cardiff University.

Assessment of the quality of life of pediatric patients at a center of excellence in dermatology in southern Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Skin diseases cause negative impact on the emotional state, social relationships and daily activities, due to the stigma caused by the appearance of the lesions. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the quality of life of pediatric patients with skin diseases attending a dermatology service, compare the scores obtained among the dermatoses found in the sample and associate them to the variables, in addition to observing how the skin disease specifically affects quality of life. METHODS: Cross-sectional study, with patients between 5 and 16 years attending the Dermatology Service of the University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Brazil, between July 2010 and February 2011. The data collection instruments were the Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index questionnaire and the AUEQI questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 161 patients were interviewed, with mean age of 9,66 years. The main dermatoses were atopic dermatitis (29.8%), warts (13%) and molluscum contagiosum (7.5%). Chronic diseases (73.9%) were the most prevalent. The overall mean Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index score was 5.01 for chronic dermatoses and 2.07 for acute illnesses, indicating a compromised quality of life among chronically ill patients. The comparison between the scores obtained with the AUEQI scale and the Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index scores indicates that the overall quality of life is less affected than the specific quality of life related to the dermatosis. CONCLUSIONS: The data presented reinforce how important it is that the patients, their families and caregivers understand the symptoms, triggers and treatment of the skin disease in question. This information facilitates adherence to the treatment and justifies the conduct adopted by the dermatologist.

Assessment of the quality of life of pediatric patients at a center of excellence in dermatology in southern Brazil / Avaliação da qualidade de vida dos pacientes pediátricos de um centro de referência em dermatologia no sul do Brasil

BACKGROUND: Skin diseases cause negative impact on the emotional state, social relationships and daily activities, due to the stigma caused by the appearance of the lesions. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the quality of life of pediatric patients with skin diseases attending a dermatology service, compare the scores obtained among the dermatoses found in the sample and associate them to the variables, in addition to observing how the skin disease specifically affects quality of life. METHODS: Cross-sectional study, with patients between 5 and 16 years attending the Dermatology Service of the University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Brazil, between July 2010 and February 2011. The data collection instruments were the Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index questionnaire and the AUEQI questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 161 patients were interviewed, with mean age of 9,66 years. The main dermatoses were atopic dermatitis (29.8%), warts (13%) and molluscum contagiosum (7.5%). Chronic diseases (73.9%) were the most prevalent. The overall mean Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index score was 5.01 for chronic dermatoses and 2.07 for acute illnesses, indicating a compromised quality of life among chronically ill patients. The comparison between the scores obtained with the AUEQI scale and the Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index scores indicates that the overall quality of life is less affected than the specific quality of life related to the dermatosis. CONCLUSIONS: The data presented reinforce how important it is that the patients, their families and caregivers understand the symptoms, triggers and treatment of the skin disease in question. This information facilitates adherence to the treatment and justifies the conduct adopted by the dermatologist.

FUNDAMENTOS: Doenças dermatológicas, em razão dos estigmas pela aparência das lesões, são fonte de impacto negativo no estado emocional, relações sociais e atividades cotidianas. OBJETIVOS: Este estudo objetiva avaliar a qualidade de vida nos pacientes dermatológicos pediátricos em um centro de referência em dermatologia, comparar os índices de qualidade de vida entre as dermatoses e associá-los às variáveis, além de avaliar de que forma as dermatoses afetam a qualidade de vida especificamente. MÉTODOS: Estudo analítico transversal, pacientes entre 5 e 16 anos, do Serviço de Dermatologia da Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, entre julho de 2010 e fevereiro de 2011. Instrumentos utilizados: questionário Índice Pediátrico de Qualidade de Vida em Dermatologia e escala AUQEI. RESULTADOS: Um total de 161 pacientes, média de idade de 9,66 anos. As principais dermatoses foram dermatite atópica (29,8%), verrugas vulgares (13%) e molusco contagioso (7,5%). Doenças crônicas (73,9%) foram mais prevalentes. A média do Índice Pediátrico de Qualidade de Vida em Dermatologia de 5,01 para dermatoses crônicas, e de 2,07 em agudas, indicando maior comprometimento da qualidade de vida entre os pacientes cronicamente enfermos. A comparação entre os escores obtivos com a escala AUEQI e o Índice Pediátrico de Qualidade de Vida em Dermatologia indicam que a qualidade de vida global é afetada com menor intensidade do que a relacionada especificamente à dermatose. CONCLUSÃO: Os dados obtidos reforçam a importância do entendimento dos sintomas, desencadeantes e da terapêutica da dermatose em questão pelos pacientes, por seus familiares e por seus cuidadores. Tais infomações facilitam a aderência ao tratamento e justificam a conduta adotada pelo dermatologista.