Clinical Features and Quality of Life in Patients with Scabies

Scabies is a contagious cutaneous infestation characterized by intense itching. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical features of scabies and the effect of scabies on quality of life, and the change in quality of life with treatment.

This prospective and cross-sectional study included 40 adults patients with classical scabies. Detailed skin examinations of the patients were performed. Dermatological life quality index (DLQI) was used to evaluate quality of life in patients with scabies. Visual analog scale (VAS) was used to investigate the severity of nocturnal itching and itch-related sleep disturbance. VAS levels and DLQI scores of the patients were evaluated at baseline (week 0) and after treatment (weeks 2 and 4).

The most common lesion in patients was tunnel (100%), followed by papule (97.5%), crusted papule (85%) and excoriation (77.5%). The abdomen (90%) was the most common area of lesions, followed by hands (87.5%) and forearm (85%). It was determined that the quality of life of 75% of the patients was moderate to extremely large affected. There was a significant improvement in average DLQI scores of patients after treatment compared to before treatment (p<0.001, week 0: 11.50±7.81, week 2: 5.50±4.68, week 4: 1.05±2.08). The baseline VAS values of the patients for nocturnal itching and itch-related sleep disturbance were 7.22±2.80 and 6.30±3.60, respectively. A statistically significant improvement was detected in these values in the week 2 and week 4 (p<0.001). Thirty-nine of the patients were given 10% sulfur ointment (3 consecutive days) and 35 of these patients (89.7%) recovered.

Scabies has significant impact on quality of life in the vast majority of patients. Itch-related sleep disturbance is common in patients with scabies. Sulfur is an effective treatment choice for scabies.