Impact of Allergic Contact Dermatitis on Health-Related Quality of Life: A Cross-Sectional Case-Control Study in a...

Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder associated with substantial impairment in quality of life (QoL). Few studies have comprehensively assessed the multidimensional impact of ACD using validated QoL instruments and healthy controls.

To evaluate the impact of ACD on QoL compared to a control group and to explore the association between clinical variables and patient-reported outcomes.

This cross-sectional study included 225 patients with confirmed ACD (positive and clinically relevant patch tests) and 225 healthy controls. All participants completed the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), the EuroQoL-5D (EQ-5D-5L) and the Skindex-29. Disease severity was assessed using the modified Investigator's Global Assessment (mIGA). Statistical analyses included nonparametric Mann-Whitney U tests for between-group comparisons, correlation analyses, and multivariate linear and ordinal regression models to identify predictors of quality-of-life impairment.

Patients with ACD showed significantly greater impairment across all QoL measures compared to controls (p < 0.001). Pruritus was the most frequently reported symptom (45.0%), and emotional distress and functional limitations were prominent. Higher mIGA scores were significantly associated with poorer QoL across all instruments.

ACD has a marked negative impact on multiple dimensions of QoL, comparable to that observed in other chronic dermatoses. These findings underscore the importance of integrating standardised QoL assessments into the routine management of ACD and support the adoption of multidimensional approaches in both clinical evaluation and therapeutic decision-making, while also highlighting the relevance of psychosocial screening as an essential component of comprehensive patient care.