Quality of Life and Clinical-Therapeutic Profile of Patients with Seborrheic Dermatitis

Abstract

Introduction: Seborrheic dermatitis is a common chronic inflammatory disease seen especially in men.

Objective: To establish the clinical and therapeutic profile of patients with seborrheic dermatitis and the impact of the disease on their quality of life.

Methods: A cross-sectional, observational and descriptive study was conducted with a universe of 61 patients diagnosed with seborrheic dermatitis, at Hospital Nacional Simão Mendes, of Bissau, Guinea Bissau, in the period from January 2022 to January 2023. The following variables were measured: age, sex, family history, age at diagnosis, location, number of annual outbreaks, symptom intensity, triggering factor of the outbreaks, received treatment, and impact on quality of life. The Skindex-29 dermatologic questionnaire was used.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 40.9±12.34 years, and 59.01 % were male. The mean age at diagnosis was 30.81±10.26 years, the most frequent body location was the scalp (91.8 %), and the most intense symptom was desquamation (2.33±0.88). Stress/depression/fatigue was the most frequent triggering factor of the outbreaks (67.13 %), The most frequently used treatment was topical corticosteroids (63.94 %). The Skindex-29 questionnaire’s overall score had a mean of 19.82±13.71 points (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions: Seborrheic dermatitis is a common dermatological disease with a diverse presentation, and subject to complex environmental and patient factors. Loss of quality of life is associated with higher scores in patients with severe or very severe symptoms.