The Menace of Superficial Dermatophytosis on the Quality of Life of Patients Attending Referral Hospital in Eastern India: A Cross-sectional Observational Study

BACKGROUND: Superficial dermatophytic infections have come up with multiple challenges and comorbidities recently regarding its chronic and recurrent course. AIMS: The present study aims at measuring the impact of the disease on the quality of life (QoL) of the patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted over 6 months. The patients attending the dermatology outpatient department were recruited after screening and were made to fill up the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and 5D-pruritus scale questionnaires. The P value was calculated and data were compared using the Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: A total of 294 patients were studied. The effect on QoL was estimated to be moderate [males, ≤10% body surface area (BSA) involvement, ≤6 months duration, low and medium socio-economic status (SES)] to very large (females, >10% BSA involvement, >6 months duration, high SES, and medium and high educational status) according to the DLQI scoring and correlated strongly with the disability scoring in 5D-pruritus scale (r = 0.802, P < 0.0001). LIMITATIONS: Small sample size of the study may not reflect the impact on general population, urging the need for multicenter studies. CONCLUSIONS: Although considered previously as a simple fungal infection, the present state of superficial dermatophytosis has emerged as a social, psychological, and economic burden on the society.