Quality of Life in Patients with Pityriasis Rosea is Associated with Rash Severity

Abstract

Objective: Few investigations have assessed the quality of life (QOL) in patients with pityriasis rosea (PR). Our aim was to determine whether PR affects the QOL in patients.Methods: Overall, 85 patients with PR and 90 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Each participant completed the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). The severity of PR and pruritus was assessed using the Pityriasis Rosea Severity Score (PRSS) and visual analog scale (VAS), respectively.Results: The overall DLQI scores of the 85 patients with PR (median: 6; range 1–28) were significantly higher than that of the 90 controls (median: 1; range 0–8). Notably, the DLQI scores of patients with PR decreased significantly following treatment (median: 2; range 0–20). The median PRSS score of 47 patients with PR who attended follow-ups was 24 before treatment (range 2–48) and significantly decreased to 9 (range 0–42) after treatment. A strong, positive correlation was observed between the PRSS scores and DLQI scores of patients before (r=0.359; p=0.000) and after (r=0.628; p=0.000) treatment.Conclusion: The DLQI of patients with PR decreases significantly after treatment, and QOL correlates with rash severity. Therefore, we recommend treating this self-limiting condition, especially in patients presenting with severe disease.