QUALITY OF LIFE IN LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS FEMALE PATIENTS WITH CUTANEOUS LESIONS IN ANTANANARIVO, MADAGASCAR.

ABSTRACT Background: Lupus erythematosus (LE) is a chronic, autoimmune disease that affects more women than men. The quality of life (QOL) of lupus erythematosus patients with skin manifestations is impaired, but little is known about Malagasy patients. Objective: Assess the impact of cutaneous lesions on the quality of life for patients who present lupus erythematosus. Methods: A transversal study, during three months, was conducted in patients who presented lupus erythematosus with cutaneous lesions at the University Hospital Antananarivo. Quality of life was assessed using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scales. Results: The impact of cutaneous lesions on the quality of life was assessed in 37 lupus erythematosus patients, of which 34 were women. The mean age of patients was 37.32 years. The mean DLQI was 5.43+/-4.67 (range 0-21). 2.7% had a very important effect (DLQI>21), 18.9% of patients reported a great effect of skin symptoms of LE in their QOL (DLQI: 11-20), 18.9% had a moderate effect (DLQI: 6-10), 40.4% had a small effect (DLQI: 2-5) and 18.9% had no effect of cutaneous lesions on his quality of life. Daily activities, symptoms and feelings were the most altered dimensions. Alteration patients’ QOL was influenced by high monthly income, severe past medical history, localization of cutaneous lesions on the face and neckline. No correlation was found between gender and quality of life Conclusion: This study shows that significant impairment of QOL was found in LE patients with cutaneous manifestations, which impact their sense of well-being.