Impact of Pediatric Dermatologic Conditions on Child and Parent Quality of Life

Dermatologic conditions can confer a negative effect on pediatric patients and their caretakers. We aim to study the relationship between child and parent quality of life among various dermatoses to further understand the psychosocial impacts of dermatologic disease. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 100 pediatric patients (aged 7-18) and 98 parents who presented to the Pacific Skin Institute, Sacramento, CA, from November 2020 to January 2022. Patients and their parents were evaluated using the Children’s Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) and Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI). The maximum score for both indices was 30, with a higher score indicating greater impairment on quality of life. From all the patients and parents identified for various dermatoses, FDLQI scores (mean, 7.8; n = 98) exceeded CDLQI scores (mean, 5.8; n = 100) in nearly every condition. Acne was the only diagnosis with greater CDLQI scores (mean, 9.2; n = 43) than FDLQI scores (mean, 8.8; n = 42). Psoriasis had the greatest difference between FDLQI scores (mean, 10.4; n = 9) and CDLQI scores (mean, 5.9; n = 9). Our study found that parents of children with dermatologic conditions often experience a greater impairment on quality of life compared to the patient. This is likely because parents are highly involved in the management of their child’s condition and are burdened with the costs associated with dermatoses. These findings call for a more holistic evaluation by clinicians and the expansion of resources for patients and their parents.