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Assessment of the effect of treatment on the quality of life of adult keloid


Ehiaghe L. Anaba
Olufolakemi Cole-Adeife
Itohan R. Oaku

Abstract

Background: Documentations of the effect of treatment on the quality of life of keloid patients are few. This study assessed improvement in quality-of-life following keloid treatment. In addition, to assess which of the offered four modalities of treatment improved quality of life more.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 32 adults who had treatment for keloid disease in the clinic from February 2019 to January 2020. This was part of a comparative study of four different modalities of keloid treatment. The quality of life was assessed before and after treatment using the Dermatology Life Quality Index questionnaire (DLQI). Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23.0
Results: Quality of life significantly improved after treatment with the mean ± SD DLQI score improving from 7.75 ± 6.15 to 4.16 ± 4.93, p=0.001. Quality of life before treatment was impaired in 93.7% and improved to 65.6%. Before treatment, 2 patients had no QOL impairment but this improved to 11 patients after treatment. Prior to treatment, severely impaired QOL was in recorded 28.1% of the patient’s and in 9.4% after treatment. Quality of life improved more in patients who had the combined intralesional triamcinolone acetonide and 5-flourouracil treatment. Significant improvement in the DLQI items of symptomatology, embarrassment, social activity and choice of clothing was noted.
Conclusion: Treatment of keloid improves quality of life and this is dependent on the modality of treatment. The items of quality of life improved include; embarrassment, choice of clothing, interference with social activities, symptoms of pain and pruritus.


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eISSN: 2992-345X
print ISSN: 0189-9287