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Objectives: To determine the impact of hirsutism on quality of life (QoL) using Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) in female patients. Patients and Methods: An observational study was carried out at the Department of Dermatology, King Edward Medical University/ Mayo Hospital, Lahore from March 1, 2012 to August 31, 2012. A total of 200 female patients suffering from hirsutism, of any severity, with age 16 years or above who themselves were able to understand and fill the DLQI questionnaire in Urdu version, were enrolled in our study. Using the DLQI questionnaire consisting of ten questions, patients were asked to score on a scale from 0-3 for each of ten items. The data were analyzed after compiling the results. The higher the DLQI score, the poorer was the QoL. Results: Mean age of the patients was 26.12±5.83 years. Mean DLQI score of all patients was 17.9±5.78. The findings indicated several areas where hirsutism had an impact on individual's QoL, particularly in relation to symptoms and feelings, daily activities and personal relationships. Patients with moderate hirsutism and severe hirsutism had mean DLQI score of 18.2±5.57 and 17.88±5.74 respectively. Mean DLQI scores were highest for Q2 (symptoms and feelings). Conclusion Hirsutism causes a 'very large effect' on patients' quality of life. Impairment of QoL is greater in female patients irrespective of marital status and severity (either moderate or severe) of hirsutism. Longer duration of disease leads to poorer quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Leprosy disease in the community is usually mistaken as a cursed disease. Leprosy disease is a chronic granulomatous infection caused by Mycobacterium leprae. Quality of life in leprosy patients with neuropathic pain in every region is varied. Objective: To determine the quality of life in leprosy patients with neuropathic pain by using the SALSA Scale and VAS. Methods: The research used analytic observational, a cross-sectional design and an interview technic. 37 subjects of 19 to 59 years age had leprosy with neuropathic pain at Donorojo Hospital. Results: SALSA score explains that 62.2% of the research subject has limitation of activity and has a correlation with leprosy disease with p 0.012. There is no correlation between VAS score and leprosy disease with p 0.034. SALSA score and VAS score in this research explain there is no correlation with p 0.458. The number of other medical conditions with limitation activity has a correlation score of 0.870 which has a very good correlation power. The number of used tools with limitation activity has a correlation score of 0.716 which has a good correlation power. Conclusion: There is activity limitation in leprosy patients with neuropathic pain at Donorojo Hospital Jepara District. The other aspect that affect activity limitation is the number of other medical conditions. Multibacillary type has more limitation than a Paucibacillary type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To determine the impact of psoriasis on quality of life (QoL) using Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) in patients of psoriasis presenting in a tertiary care setting. Methods An observational study was carried out at Department of Dermatology, King Edward Medical University/ Mayo Hospital, Lahore from May 2013 till November 2013. A total of 200 patients compatible with inclusion criteria were enrolled after taking informed consent and were asked to fill DLQI questionnaires. Results Out of 200 patients, there were 107 males and 93 females. The mean age was 34.89±14.96 years while the mean DLQI score was 11.51±4.81. There were 58 (29%) married and 142 (71%) unmarried patients in the present study. Patients with moderate psoriasis were 184 with PASI score 40-60 and mean DLQI score 11.14±4.55 whereas 16 patients had severe psoriasis with PASI score 60-72 and mean DLQI score 15.8±5.68. The maximum mean DLQI score was highest for question 10 (treatment) followed by question 1 and 2 (symptoms and feelings). Conclusion Psoriasis is a serious condition and is associated with significantly lower quality of life regardless of age, gender, duration and severity of disease or marital status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]