Illness perception and quality of life in patients with contact dermatitis

People's subjective perceptions of illness are important determinants of their ways of coping with health threats and the ensuing physical and mental outcomes, including quality of life (QoL), which has been consistently reported to be impaired by contact dermatitis.

To investigate the relationships of subjective illness perceptions and dermatological QoL in atopic, contact and occupational dermatitis patients and a comparison group of patients with other dermatological diseases.

Three hundred and three patients of four diagnostic groups filled in the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire and the Skindex-16 (+ occupational impact items) Dermatological QoL questionnaire before clinical examination and patch testing.

Perceptions of serious consequences, greater symptom burden and more uncertainty and worry were associated with lower QoL (r(s) > 0.50). Overall, patients reported low personal control over their condition and low understanding of the disease (3.5 and 4.8, respectively, on a 0-10 scale). QoL was most impaired among occupational dermatitis patients (mean = 46) and least impaired among patients who were later diagnosed as suffering from conditions other than contact dermatitis (mean = 62).

Identifying critical components of illness perceptions in patients with atopic, contact and occupational dermatitis may enable the design of consultations and interventions to fit patients' perceptions, which could affect their QoL.