Dermatology Life Quality Index in Thai Patients with Facial Port-Wine Stains

Port-wine stains (PWS) are congenital capillary abnormalities caused by immature, venule-like vasculature that progressively dilates due to poor endothelial cell differentiation. PWS affects between 0.3% and 0.9% of newborns, with 90% of cases occurring on the face. Individuals with facial PWS and their parents had a significant negative impairment on their quality of life (QoL) and also suffered from psychological disabilities.

This was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey study in Thailand from July 2021 to April 2022. The questionnaires included demographic data, subjective evaluation (SE), and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). The questionnaire was performed with a full scale and adjusted scale of validity and reliability test of DLQI using factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha. The study outcome was a subjective evaluation and DLQI in patients who received pulsed dye laser (PDL) treatment.

Of the 54 patients, 35.2% (19) are male, and 64.8% (35) are female. Regarding age groups, 64.8% (35) are below 5 years old, and 35.2% (19) are older than 5 years. SE results showed that males evaluated an improvement of the facial PWS lesion significantly better than females (P < 0.05). The older age group graded the percentage of improvement better than the younger age group (P < 0.01). The result of the DLQI showed no difference in DLQI between gender. Older age result resulted in a significantly different DLQI compared with younger age (P < 0.01). Parent-reported DLQI improvement was less than self-reported DLQI improvement in patients with PWS treated with PDL (P < 0.05). Concerning the instrument of the study, the validity and reliability analysis of the DLQI questionnaire using factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha have been performed. The adjusted scale with the 5-item DLQI questionnaire is more appropriate in terms validity and reliability.

This study demonstrates that facial PWS reduces the QoL as measured by DLQI. We discovered that the QoL of patients and parents with PWS was significantly impaired. The main influencing factors were older age, the improved perception between gender, and PDL treatments. In addition, we found only five questions that are reliable for PWS. The adjusted five-item DLQI questionnaires are more appropriate regarding validity and reliability.

TCTR20230210001, COA no. si 1059/2020.