The effect of skin diseases on quality of life in patients from different social and ethnic groups in Cape Town, South Africa

Abstract

Background Skin diseases can greatly affect the quality of life (QoL). Little is known, however, of their impact on QoL in the developing world. This study was designed to assess the effect of skin diseases in such a setting. Methods A questionnaire survey of patients using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), modified to the cultural needs of the population. The adapted instrument was translated into Afrikaans and Xhosa. Six hundred and seven patients attending general dermatology clinics at Groote Schuur Hospital and 53 controls were recruited. Influences on QoL of clinical severity, employment, education, age, sex, and home language were examined. Results Participants included 313 (52%) English‐speaking, 215 (35%) Afrikaans‐speaking, and 79 (13%) Xhosa‐speaking dermatology patients. Independent risk factors for having a high disability score were dermatologists' assessment of severity, younger age, unemployment, and language (odds ratio, 0.13; 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.03–0.5 for Xhosa speakers compared to Afrikaans speakers). Gender was not associated with a high score, but females were more likely to report effects of skin disease on self‐esteem, clothing choice, treatment problems, and anxiety. Conclusions In this multicultural setting, social class and language group, but not gender, influenced the impact of skin disease on overall QoL. Xhosa speakers were apparently less affected than other patients. This could be due to cultural differences in the experience of skin disease and in the perception of disability, or to biases in questionnaire responses. Anxiety and depression were relevant dimensions of QoL in this study and should be considered for inclusion in future research. The adapted and translated DLQI was valid and reliable.