| Peer-Reviewed

Effect of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis on Quality of Life of Patients, a Multicentric Study in Tertiary Care Hospitals in Pakistan Using DLQI

Received: 13 June 2021    Accepted: 19 July 2021    Published: 27 July 2021
Views:       Downloads:
Abstract

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is a disease caused by the parasite “Leishmania” and is endemic in more than 90 countries of the world. Despite its vast prevalence and impact on quality of life (qol), it is one of the most neglected tropical dermatological diseases. The patients face considerable mental challenges including anxiety, depression and low self-esteem, leading to a low qol. This study aims to determine the effect of CL on qol of patients suffering from it. It is a cross-sectional study that evaluated 212 patients suffering from CL who reported at Pak Emirates Military Hospital (PEMH), Rawalpindi, Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Peshawar, PNS Shifa, Karachi and CMH, Quetta from September 2018 to March 2019. For measuring the qol, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire was filled in voluntarily. Data on demographics and characteristics of the lesions was also collected and analyzed using SPSS 22 software. DLQI scores ranged from 0 to 29 out of a total of 30 with a mean score of 14.01±7.5. The patients were divided into five categories based on the impact the disease had on them according to the scores obtained; 74 (35%) were those who had a large effect and only six (3%) had no effect. “Feelings” was the most affected area (mean 2.10±0.94) followed by work (1.64±1.23) and sexual function had the least effect (mean 0.86±1.04). CL was found to have a significant effect on qol of 180 (85%) of the patients. A statistically significant association was seen between type, size and duration of lesions and patient’s qol. Therefore, CL significantly influences the quality of life of patients. The ulcerated type, longer duration and larger size of the lesion had greater impact on the quality of life. Preventive measures should be taken to reduce the prevalence of the disease and hence, improve the qol of people in the endemic areas.

Published in International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medical Sciences (Volume 7, Issue 4)
DOI 10.11648/j.ijcems.20210704.16
Page(s) 103-107
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, Dermatology, Quality of Life

References
[1] Rasheed Z, Ahmed AA, Salem T, Al-Dhubaibi MS, Al Robaee AA, Alzolibani AA. Prevalence of Leishmania species among patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis in Qassim province of Saudi Arabia. BMC public health. 2019; 19 (1): 384. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1515/jtim-2015-0002.
[2] Who. int. 2020 https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/leishmaniasis.
[3] Who. int. 2018 https://www.who.int/leishmaniasis/burden/Pakistan_2015.pdf?ua=1.
[4] Hussain M, Munir S, Khan TA, Khan A, Ayaz S, Jamal MA, et al. Epidemiology of cutaneous leishmaniasis outbreak, Waziristan, Pakistan. Emerging infectious diseases. 2018; 24 (1): 159. Doi: https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2401.170358.
[5] Molyneux DH, Savioli L, Engels D. Neglected tropical diseases: progress towards addressing the chronic pandemic. The Lancet. 2017; 389 (10066): 312-25. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736 (16)30171-4.
[6] Mokni M. Leishmanioses cutanées [Cutaneous leishmaniasis]. Ann Dermatol Venereol. 2019; 146 (3): 232-246. French. doi: 10.1016/j.annder.2019.02.002.
[7] Karimkhani C, Wanga V, Coffeng LE, Naghavi P, Dellavalle RP, Naghavi M. Global burden of cutaneous leishmaniasis: a cross-sectional analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013. The Lancet Infectious Diseases. 2016; 16 (5): 584-91. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099 (16)00003-7.
[8] Bailey F, Mondragon-Shem K, Haines LR, Olabi A, Alorfi A, Ruiz-Postigo JA et al. Cutaneous leishmaniasis and co-morbid major depressive disorder: A systematic review with burden estimates. PLoS neglected tropical diseases. 2019; 13 (2): e0007092. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0007092.
[9] Gurel MS, Tekin B, Uzun S. Cutaneous leishmaniasis: A great imitator. Clin Dermatol. 2020; 38 (2): 140-151. doi: 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2019.10.008.
[10] Bennis I, De Brouwere V, Belrhiti Z, Sahibi H, Boelaert M. Psychosocial burden of localised cutaneous Leishmaniasis: a scoping review. BMC Public Health. 2018; 18 (1): 358. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-5260-9.
[11] Chahed MK, Bellali H, Jemaa SB, Bellaj T. Psychological and psychosocial consequences of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis among women in Tunisia: preliminary findings from an exploratory study. PLoS neglected tropical diseases. 2016 Oct; 10 (10). Doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0005090.
[12] Finlay AY, Khan GK. Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI): A simple practical measure for routine clinical use. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology. 1994; 19: 210-216.3 Doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2230.1994.tb01167.x.
[13] Hongbo Y, Thomas CL, Harrison MA, Salek MS, Finlay AY. Translating the science of quality of life into practice: What do Dermatology Life Quality Index score mean? Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 2005; 125: 659-664. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0022-202X.2005.23621.x.
[14] Noorpisheh S, Naghizadeh MM, Nikrouz L. A study on the life quality of patients suffering from leishmaniasis. Journal of Fasa University of Medical Sciences. 2013; 3 (2): 155-162.
[15] Khoshnood B, Handjani F, Goodarzi H, Sadati MS. Quality of life in patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis. Hormozgan Medical Journal. 2016; 20 (5): 332-336.
[16] Refai WF, Madarasingha NP, Sumanasena B, Weerasingha S, Fernandopulle R, Karunaweera ND. Cutaneous leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka: effect on quality of life. International journal of dermatology. 2018; 57 (12): 1442-1446. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/ijd.14240.
[17] Ahmad I, e Humayun Z, Ahmad M. Pattern of cutaneous leishmaniasis cases among troops and their families in Sibi. Pakistan Armed Forces Medical Journal. 2008; 58 (2): 209-212.
[18] Vares B, Mohseni M, Heshmatkhah A, Farjzadeh S, Shamsi-Meymandi S, Rahnama Z et al. Quality of life in patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis. Archives of Iranian medicine. 2013 Aug 1; 16 (8): 474.
[19] Ejaz A, Rao SE, Manzoor A, Niaz A. Quality of life assessment in chronic skin disorders. Journal of Pakistan Association of Dermatology. 2016; 25 (2): 86-89.
[20] Ranawaka RR, Weerakoon HS, de Silva SH. The quality of life of Sri Lankan patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis. Mymensingh Med J. 2014; 23 (2): 345-51.
[21] Pal B, Murti K, Siddiqui NA, Das P, Lal CS, Babu R et al. Assessment of quality of life in patients with post kalaazar dermal leishmaniasis. Health and quality of life outcomes. 2017; 15 (1): 148. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12955-017-0720-y.
[22] Shiva F, Seifi N, Yaghoubi M, Momenzadeh A, Moradi A, Darchini-Maragheh E et al. Evaluation of Quality of Life, Anxiety and Depression in Children with Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. International Journal of Pediatrics. 2019; 7 (6): 9591-9600. Doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.22038/IJP.2019.38495.3301.
[23] Bennis I, Thys S, Filali H, Brouwere V, Sahibi H, Boelaert M. Psychosocial impact of scars due to cutaneous leishmaniasis on high school students in Errachidia province, Morocco. Infect Dis Poverty. 2017; 6 (1): 46. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40249-017-0267-5.
[24] Galvão EL, Pedras MJ, Cota GF, Rabello A, Simões TC. How cutaneous leishmaniasis and treatment impacts in the patients’ lives: A cross-sectional study. PloS one. 2019; 14 (1): e0211374. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0211374.
[25] Toledo Jr AC, da Silva RE, Carmo RF, Amaral TA, Luz ZM, Rabello A. Assessment of the quality of life of patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, 2009–2010. A pilot study. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 2013; 107 (5): 335-336. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/trstmh/trt021.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Najia Ahmed, Aymen Naeem, Bisma Zahid, Moizza Tahir, Uzma Bashir, et al. (2021). Effect of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis on Quality of Life of Patients, a Multicentric Study in Tertiary Care Hospitals in Pakistan Using DLQI. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medical Sciences, 7(4), 103-107. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcems.20210704.16

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Najia Ahmed; Aymen Naeem; Bisma Zahid; Moizza Tahir; Uzma Bashir, et al. Effect of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis on Quality of Life of Patients, a Multicentric Study in Tertiary Care Hospitals in Pakistan Using DLQI. Int. J. Clin. Exp. Med. Sci. 2021, 7(4), 103-107. doi: 10.11648/j.ijcems.20210704.16

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Najia Ahmed, Aymen Naeem, Bisma Zahid, Moizza Tahir, Uzma Bashir, et al. Effect of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis on Quality of Life of Patients, a Multicentric Study in Tertiary Care Hospitals in Pakistan Using DLQI. Int J Clin Exp Med Sci. 2021;7(4):103-107. doi: 10.11648/j.ijcems.20210704.16

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.ijcems.20210704.16,
      author = {Najia Ahmed and Aymen Naeem and Bisma Zahid and Moizza Tahir and Uzma Bashir and Sameena Kausar and Omer Farooq and Saira Ahmed},
      title = {Effect of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis on Quality of Life of Patients, a Multicentric Study in Tertiary Care Hospitals in Pakistan Using DLQI},
      journal = {International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medical Sciences},
      volume = {7},
      number = {4},
      pages = {103-107},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijcems.20210704.16},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcems.20210704.16},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijcems.20210704.16},
      abstract = {Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is a disease caused by the parasite “Leishmania” and is endemic in more than 90 countries of the world. Despite its vast prevalence and impact on quality of life (qol), it is one of the most neglected tropical dermatological diseases. The patients face considerable mental challenges including anxiety, depression and low self-esteem, leading to a low qol. This study aims to determine the effect of CL on qol of patients suffering from it. It is a cross-sectional study that evaluated 212 patients suffering from CL who reported at Pak Emirates Military Hospital (PEMH), Rawalpindi, Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Peshawar, PNS Shifa, Karachi and CMH, Quetta from September 2018 to March 2019. For measuring the qol, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire was filled in voluntarily. Data on demographics and characteristics of the lesions was also collected and analyzed using SPSS 22 software. DLQI scores ranged from 0 to 29 out of a total of 30 with a mean score of 14.01±7.5. The patients were divided into five categories based on the impact the disease had on them according to the scores obtained; 74 (35%) were those who had a large effect and only six (3%) had no effect. “Feelings” was the most affected area (mean 2.10±0.94) followed by work (1.64±1.23) and sexual function had the least effect (mean 0.86±1.04). CL was found to have a significant effect on qol of 180 (85%) of the patients. A statistically significant association was seen between type, size and duration of lesions and patient’s qol. Therefore, CL significantly influences the quality of life of patients. The ulcerated type, longer duration and larger size of the lesion had greater impact on the quality of life. Preventive measures should be taken to reduce the prevalence of the disease and hence, improve the qol of people in the endemic areas.},
     year = {2021}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Effect of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis on Quality of Life of Patients, a Multicentric Study in Tertiary Care Hospitals in Pakistan Using DLQI
    AU  - Najia Ahmed
    AU  - Aymen Naeem
    AU  - Bisma Zahid
    AU  - Moizza Tahir
    AU  - Uzma Bashir
    AU  - Sameena Kausar
    AU  - Omer Farooq
    AU  - Saira Ahmed
    Y1  - 2021/07/27
    PY  - 2021
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcems.20210704.16
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ijcems.20210704.16
    T2  - International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medical Sciences
    JF  - International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medical Sciences
    JO  - International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medical Sciences
    SP  - 103
    EP  - 107
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2469-8032
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcems.20210704.16
    AB  - Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is a disease caused by the parasite “Leishmania” and is endemic in more than 90 countries of the world. Despite its vast prevalence and impact on quality of life (qol), it is one of the most neglected tropical dermatological diseases. The patients face considerable mental challenges including anxiety, depression and low self-esteem, leading to a low qol. This study aims to determine the effect of CL on qol of patients suffering from it. It is a cross-sectional study that evaluated 212 patients suffering from CL who reported at Pak Emirates Military Hospital (PEMH), Rawalpindi, Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Peshawar, PNS Shifa, Karachi and CMH, Quetta from September 2018 to March 2019. For measuring the qol, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire was filled in voluntarily. Data on demographics and characteristics of the lesions was also collected and analyzed using SPSS 22 software. DLQI scores ranged from 0 to 29 out of a total of 30 with a mean score of 14.01±7.5. The patients were divided into five categories based on the impact the disease had on them according to the scores obtained; 74 (35%) were those who had a large effect and only six (3%) had no effect. “Feelings” was the most affected area (mean 2.10±0.94) followed by work (1.64±1.23) and sexual function had the least effect (mean 0.86±1.04). CL was found to have a significant effect on qol of 180 (85%) of the patients. A statistically significant association was seen between type, size and duration of lesions and patient’s qol. Therefore, CL significantly influences the quality of life of patients. The ulcerated type, longer duration and larger size of the lesion had greater impact on the quality of life. Preventive measures should be taken to reduce the prevalence of the disease and hence, improve the qol of people in the endemic areas.
    VL  - 7
    IS  - 4
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

Author Information
  • Department of Dermatology, Pakistan Naval Ship Shifa Hospital, Bahria University Medical and Dental College, Karachi, Pakistan

  • Department of Dermatology, Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

  • Department of Dermatology, Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

  • Department of Dermatology, Combined Military Hospital, Quetta, Pakistan

  • Department of Dermatology, Combined Military Hospital, Quetta, Pakistan

  • Department of Dermatology, Combined Military Hospital, Peshawer, Pakistan

  • Department of Ophthalmology, Pakistan Naval Ship Shifa Hospital, Bahria University Medical and Dental College, Karachi, Pakistan

  • Department of Radiology, Combined Military Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan

  • Sections