Assessment of Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia Publisher Pubmed



Varghaei A¹ ; Rostami A¹ ; Yarmohamadi M¹ ; Mahmoudi H¹ ; Balighi K¹ ; Daneshpazhooh M¹
Source: Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology Published:2022

Abstract

Background: Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is a primary patterned cicatricial alopecia with different manifestations. Aims: Its incidence is increasing worldwide. Like other types of alopecia, FFA can affect patients' health-related quality of life (HRQOL). However, this effect has been rarely discussed. This study was designed to evaluate HRQOL in patients with FFA. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 49 patients with confirmed FFA were asked to complete Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) questionnaires. Disease severity was evaluated with the Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia Severity Score Index (FFASI). Results: Significant relation between SF-36 scores and other covariants was not detected. According to the DLQI, most of the patients (54%) had impaired HRQOL, which was of low grade for most of them (84%). Patients with face papules and patients who were in the group of nail, limb, and flexural involvement had significantly lower HRQOL (p-value 0.03). Conclusion: We found that FFA negatively impacts HRQOL, which was more pronounced in patients with involvement of other ostensible areas. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.