Dermatology Life Quality Index as a Management Tool and Quality Indicator of Follow-up of Chronic Dermatoses
Abstract
Background. Chronic inflammatory dermatoses—psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and eczema—have a persistently high prevalence and a pronounced negative impact on patients’ quality of life. Current clinical guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation mandate the assessment of the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), yet its systematic integration into the follow-up care pathway is still structurally underdeveloped. Objective. To substantiate an organizational model for using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) as a management tool and quality indicator of the follow-up process by assessing DLQI levels in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic dermatoses. Materials and methods. A single-center observational cross-sectional study was conducted at the Moscow Scientific and Practical Center of Dermatovenereology and Cosmetology (2023-2026). Using unselected sampling, 105 patients aged 18-60 years with moderate-to-severe psoriasis (n=42), atopic dermatitis (n=38), or eczema (n=25) were enrolled. Disease severity was assessed with PASI, SCORAD, and EASI scores; quality of life was measured using the validated DLQI questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed in IBM SPSS Statistics 26.0 using nonparametric methods, the chi-square test, and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Results. The overall mean DLQI score was 14.8, indicating a very large effect on patient’s quality of life. The effect was slightly stronger in psoriasis (mean 15.6) than in atopic dermatitis (14.8) or eczema (13.4), with moderate between-group differences. No statistically significant difference in DLQI was found between sexes. Conclusion. The mean DLQI score in the cohort was 14.8 (very large effect), highest in psoriasis (15.6) and lowest in eczema (13.4), with no significant sex-related difference. The growing burden of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis in Moscow, especially in the post-pandemic period, together with significant quality-of-life impairment among patients with moderate-to-severe chronic dermatoses, supports a shift from episodic to systematic DLQI assessment and a proposed organizational model stratifying the follow-up care pathway by DLQI level, integrated with structured educational and psychosocial support (Patient Schools).