Quality of Life, Anxiety and Depression Levels in Patients with Seborrheic Dermatitis

Background and Design: Seborrheic dermatitis is a common disease characterized by the presence of erythematous plaques with oily-yellow desquamation. Due to its chronic course with remission and exacerbation periods, seborrheic dermatitis can give rise to impaired quality of life and increased levels of anxiety and depression. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the levels of anxiety and depression and quality of life in patients with seborrheic dermatitis. Material and Method: This study was conducted with 50 consecutive patients admitted to our clinic, who have been diagnosed with seborrheic dermatitis without any other systemic or psychiatric illnesses (patient group), and 50 healthy subjects with similar sociodemographic characteristics (control group). Dermatological Life Quality Index (DLQI) was administered to patient group; the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were administered to both patient and the control groups. Results: In one half (%50) of the patients, quality of life was found to be slightly affected or not affected at all, in the other half (%50), the quality of life was affected reasonably or greatly. Anxiety and depression levels were higher in seborrheic dermatitis patients with distortion in quality of life. Also, there was a positive correlation between the levels of anxiety and depression. Conclusion: This study showed that the quality of life was affected by the seborrheic dermatitis negatively, and anxiety and depression levels were higher as much as the impairment of quality of life. According to these results, identifying the psychological symptoms of illness and dealing with these symptoms are important for both in increasing quality of life of patients and getting a well response to the treatment. (Turkderm 2012; 46: 39-43)