GD09 GD10 Impact of chronic conditions on the quality of life of patients and their family members
Authors: Chanta’l Kleinbussink, Flora Kiss, Morton Frankson, Andrew Y Finlay, Jui Vyas
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2024)

Abstract This study aimed to determine impact of chronic conditions on the quality of life (QoL) of patients and their family members. A cross-sectional correlational study was undertaken in the Bahamas and Wales, involving patients aged &amp;gt; 18 years with psoriasis, acne, eczema and hidradenitis suppurativa. Patients in both countries completed the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). In the Bahamas, children (aged 4–16 years) also completed the Children’s DLQI (CDLQI). Family members (&amp;gt; 18 years) completed the Family Reported Outcome Measure (FROM)-16 and the Family DLQI (FDLQI). Patients in the Bahamas with other chronic conditions (rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease) completed the WHOQOL-BREF, and children (4–16 years) completed the KINDLR. Their family members (&amp;gt; 18 years) completed FROM-16. The 436 participants were from Wales (20%) and the Bahamas (80%). Of the 203 adult patients, 74% identified as Black, 21% as White and 5% as mix, multiple ethnic groups or other. Of 218 family members, 77% identified as Black, 19% as White, and 4% as mix, multiple ethnic groups or other. In Wales the mean DLQI score was 13.8 (SD 7.7, n = 44), indicating very large impact on QoL. Family members’ FROM-16 mean score was 8.7 (SD 6.7, n = 44), indicating moderate effect on QoL. The FDLQI mean score was 7.7 (SD 6.7, n = 44). DLQI and FDLQI scores [rsp = 0.61, P (two-tailed) = 0.01, n = 88] and DLQI and FROM-16 scores [rsp = 0.59, P (two-tailed) = 0.01, n = 88] were strongly positively correlated. FROM-16 and FDLQI scores were very strongly positively correlated [rsp = 0.74, P (two-tailed) = 0.01, n = 44]. In the Bahamas the mean DLQI score was 7.4 (SD 5, n = 34), indicating moderate impact on QoL. The FROM-16 mean score for family members of adult patients was 3.5 (SD 4.5, n = 45), indicating small effect on QoL. The FDLQI mean score was 3.0 (SD 3.7, n = 45). DLQI and FDLQI scores [rsp = 0.34, P (two-tailed) = 0.05, n = 68] were moderately positively correlated. FROM-16 and FDLQI scores were strongly positively correlated [rsp = 0.61, P (two-tailed) &amp;lt; 0.001, n = 45]. Children’s mean CDLQI score was 7 (SD 4.3, n = 11), indicating moderate effect on QoL. Their family members’ mean FROM-16 score was 3.1 (SD 2.4, n = 11), indicating small impact. The FDLQI mean score was 3.6 (SD 4.4, n = 11). The CDLQI and FDLQI [rsp = 0.60, P (two-tailed) = 0.05, n = 22] and CDLQI and FROM-16 personal/social domain scores [rsp = 0.67, P (two-tailed) = 0.03, n = 22] were strongly positively correlated. FROM-16 and FDLQI scores [rsp = 0.72, P (two-tailed) &amp;lt; 0.01, n = 11] were strongly positively correlated. The mean WHOQOL-BREF for other chronic conditions was 56.4 (SD 8.9, n = 125) and the mean KINDLR score was 74.5 (SD 12.5, n = 4). Their family members’ FROM-16 mean score was 6.3 (SD 5.5, n = 129), indicating small impact on QoL. The WHOQOL-BREF and FROM-16 scores [rsp = −0.28, P (two-tailed) = 0.001] were weakly negatively correlated. Validated QoL questionnaires can be used to measure impact on QoL in different countries. Family members experience a substantial impact on QoL. Skin disease can impact the QoL of family members just as much as family members of people with other noncutaneous chronic diseases. The data provide a challenge to clinicians to identify severely affected family members and assist them further.