AUTHOR=Belachew Eyayaw Ashete , Chanie Gashaw Sisay , Gizachew Eshetie , Sendekie Ashenafi Kibret 

TITLE=Health-related quality of life and its determinants among patients with psoriasis at a referral hospital in Northwest Ethiopia

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Medicine

VOLUME=Volume 10 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2023.1183685

DOI=10.3389/fmed.2023.1183685

ISSN=2296-858X

ABSTRACT=Objectives: This study assessed health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and its determinants among patients with psoriasis having follow-up at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (UoGCSH).
Design, setting, and participants: A cross-sectional institutional-based study was conducted at the dermatologic clinic of UoGCSH from June to August 2022. 400 eligible patients with psoriasis were included in the study using a systematic random sampling technique. 
The main outcome measured: The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) measurement scale was used to assess HRQoL. The relationship between HRQoL and independent predictor variables was investigated using bivariable and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Statistical significance was defined as a p-value < 0.05 at the 95% CI.
Results: Of the 422 study subjects approached, four hundred respondents with psoriasis were included in the final analysis. The mean (±SD) age was 39.8 (±17.2) years, and 56% were female. The most commonly prescribed medications were topical corticosteroids (68.3 %). The mean (±SD) DLQI was 13.05 (7.82). More than three-fourths (78.5%) of the patients’ HRQOL was affected, and its severity ranged from very large to extremely large. Being male (adjusted odd ratio) (AOR) = 0.373, 95% CI (0.171, 0.773), use of alternative therapy (AOR = 0.237, 95% CI (0.114, 0.494), duration of diseases (AOR = 0.184, 95% CI (0.061, 0.557), duration on medication (AOR =3.75, 95% CI (1.32, 10.73), presence of comorbidity (AOR = 6.199, 95% CI (1.921, 20.00), and income were found to have a significant association with poor HRQoL.
Conclusion: Psoriasis patients had reduced HRQoL, which was lower than that of the normal population. The study identified that several variables contributed to this reduced HRQoL. Predictors that take into account interventions are therefore essential for preserving patients' HRQoL.