F Rencz1,2, L Gulácsi1, M Péntek1, N Wikonkál3, P Baji1, V Brodszky4. 1. Department of Health Economics, Corvinus University of Budapest, Fővám tér 8, H-1093, Budapest, Hungary. 2. Doctoral School of Clinical Medicine, Semmelweis University, Pf. 2, H-1428, Budapest, Hungary. 3. Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Dermatooncology, Semmelweis University, Mária u. 41, H-1085, Budapest, Hungary. 4. Department of Health Economics, Corvinus University of Budapest, Fővám tér 8, H-1093, Budapest, Hungary. valentin.brodszky@uni-corvinus.hu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: No systematic review has yet evaluated the available evidence on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in alopecia areata (AA). OBJECTIVES: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of HRQOL studies among patients diagnosed with AA. METHODS: A systematic search was performed for papers published between 1946 and 15 December 2014 in Medline, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Library. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted to pool data. RESULTS: Twenty-one studies were included, representing a total of 2530 adult patients with AA. Of the 14 different HRQOL measures used in the studies, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI; n = 8) and SF-36 (n = 7) were the most common. Three AA-specific HRQOL instruments were identified: Alopecia Areata Quality of Life Index, Alopecia Areata Quality of Life and Alopecia Areata Symptom Impact Scale. The mean pooled DLQI score of patients with AA was 6·3 (95% confidence interval 5·6-7·1). Comparing age- and sex-matched controls, the meta-analysis of SF-36 studies revealed significantly reduced HRQOL across the role-emotional, mental health and vitality domains (P < 0·001). Wearing a wig had a positive impact, while scalp involvement, anxiety and depression had a negative impact on HRQOL. Conflicting results were found regarding the association between HRQOL and age, sex, marital status and disease duration. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with AA experience significant impairment in HRQOL, especially in the area of mental health. Several generic and dermatology-specific HRQOL instruments have been used, but no validation studies have confirmed their applicability in AA. The newly developed AA-specific measures seem very promising; however, a more extensive assessment of validity and reliability is needed.
BACKGROUND: No systematic review has yet evaluated the available evidence on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in alopecia areata (AA). OBJECTIVES: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of HRQOL studies among patients diagnosed with AA. METHODS: A systematic search was performed for papers published between 1946 and 15 December 2014 in Medline, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Library. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted to pool data. RESULTS: Twenty-one studies were included, representing a total of 2530 adult patients with AA. Of the 14 different HRQOL measures used in the studies, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI; n = 8) and SF-36 (n = 7) were the most common. Three AA-specific HRQOL instruments were identified: Alopecia Areata Quality of Life Index, Alopecia Areata Quality of Life and Alopecia Areata Symptom Impact Scale. The mean pooled DLQI score of patients with AA was 6·3 (95% confidence interval 5·6-7·1). Comparing age- and sex-matched controls, the meta-analysis of SF-36 studies revealed significantly reduced HRQOL across the role-emotional, mental health and vitality domains (P < 0·001). Wearing a wig had a positive impact, while scalp involvement, anxiety and depression had a negative impact on HRQOL. Conflicting results were found regarding the association between HRQOL and age, sex, marital status and disease duration. CONCLUSIONS:Patients with AA experience significant impairment in HRQOL, especially in the area of mental health. Several generic and dermatology-specific HRQOL instruments have been used, but no validation studies have confirmed their applicability in AA. The newly developed AA-specific measures seem very promising; however, a more extensive assessment of validity and reliability is needed.
Authors: C Herbert Pratt; Lloyd E King; Andrew G Messenger; Angela M Christiano; John P Sundberg Journal: Nat Rev Dis Primers Date: 2017-03-16 Impact factor: 52.329
Authors: Bianca Y Kang; Alvin W Li; Ming H Lee; Clarissa C Wong; Noor Naseer; Sarah A Ibrahim; Corinne H Miller; Emily L Keimig; Emily Poon; Murad Alam Journal: Arch Dermatol Res Date: 2021-05-20 Impact factor: 3.017