Quality of life in patients with keloids and hypertrophic scars

Background: Keloids and hypertrophie scars (HTS) are chronic disfiguring dermatoses and can cause functional impairment and psychosocial burdens, both of which affect quality of life. Objective: Our purpose of this study was to compare the quality of life using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores in patients with keloids and HTS to those of normal controls. Methods: A total 31 patients with keloids and HTS attending our dermatology outpatient clinic as well as 30 healthy controls completed the DLQI. The relationship between quality of life and clinical characteristics of patients with keloids and HTS was investigated using the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS). Results: Total average DLQI scores of patients with keloids and HTS (mean 5.48±6.23) were significantly higher than those of healthy controls (mean 2.43±3.96) (p<0.05). There was a significant positive relationship between the DLQI and the VSS in patients with keloids and HTS (r=0.372, p=0.040). Pliability (r=0.416, p=0.020) and height (r=0.496, p=0.005) independently showed a positive association with the DLQI. There was no association between the DLQI and the duration and location of keloids and HTS. Conclusion: In our study, the quality of life of patients with keloids and HTS was impaired and poorer than that of the healthy controls.