Assessment of Quality of Life among Patients with Alopecia Areata

Abstract

Background: Alopecia areata considers a common condition with an uncertain etiology, can have a catastrophic effect on a patient's self-esteem, self-image, and general quality of life. Aim: Assess the quality of life among patients with alopecia areata. Research design: A descriptive research design was utilized. Sample: A purposive sample of 70 adult (male and female) patients with alopecia areata. Setting: Assiut dermatology and venerology clinic, ministry of health, Assiut, Egypt. Tools: Patient assessment sheet, Alopecia Areata patient-reported outcome, and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaires. Results: 41.4% patients (One third) of the studied subjects aged range from 20-29 years represents. More than half of study group were male, married, had secondary education and unemployed. The majority had no family history of dermatology diseases but had depression and anxiety among. Regarding Onset of alopecia areata was new case of alopecia among study participant and less than three months and had Alopecia localiatiata and affect scalp. Majority of the treatment used is combined treatment and all of them had non hair regrowth had unsatisfied knowledge level, moderate effect on patient quality of life regarding hair loss. Conclusion: There are positive correlation between age and line of treatment with quality of life and no correlation between sex, education and knowledge with their quality of life. Recommendation: A new perspective on the burden of Alopecia Areata that must be taken into account while organizing and assessing therapy is provided by Quality of Life measurement.