Management Outcomes of Hand Dermatitis in a Tertiary Hospital in Southwest Nigeria

Hand dermatitis (HD) is inflammation of the skin of the hands. It ranges in severity and has a significant impact on quality of life (QoL). The physical and psychosocial burden of the disease is comparable with psoriasis in impairment of the QoL of the patient and depression. Quality of life correlates with disease severity.

To evaluate the management outcome of HD with a disease severity tool by the physician and quality of life index.

This was a cross-sectional study of a cohort of patients with HD over 24 weeks in the dermatology clinic of a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. Disease severity and quality of life were measured using the physician global assessment (PGA) and dermatology life quality index (DLQI), respectively. These were re-administered 6 weeks after treatment. Results were collated and analyzed.

One hundred and seventy-seven (13.3%) of 1,329 patients had HD with F/M ratio of 1.2: 1; a mean age of 34.6 ± 7.4 years. Comparing PGA scores at baseline and 6 weeks, a statistically significant improvement was noted P < 0.001. The mean DLQI score at baseline was 10.38 and reduced to 3.02 post-treatment. The difference between the two means of the DLQI was ≥5 from baseline signifying improved quality of life. The domain of symptoms and feelings was the most affected at baseline and most improved afterward.

HD has a significant impact on its sufferers and this correlates with disease severity. Appropriate management improves disease outcome and patients' quality of life.