INTRODUCTION

Chronic dermatoses are frequent, particularly in sub-Sahelian countries. Most are not life-threatening yet often have a major impact on the psychological state of the patient and their social relationships, daily activities, and quality of life. The aim of our study was to identify the impact of chronic dermatoses on the quality of life of patients aged fifteen and older at the Department of Dermatology Venerology of the National Hospital of Niamey, Niger. Thus, we employed the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) to measure the quality of life of the patients. It is based on ten questions rated from 0 to 3 relating to pruritus, general discomfort, interference with clothing, hobbies, sport, sexuality, and work. The DLQI score is obtained by summing the scores assigned to each question. It varies from 0 (best quality of life) to 30 (most impaired quality of life) [1–3].

RESULTS

During the study, 127 patients had chronic dermatoses out of a total of 504 patients consulted (25.19%). The average age was 33.38 years, and the age groups of 15–24 years and 25–34 years accounted for 59.08%. Females constituted 57%, giving a male-to-female ratio of 0.76. Living in the urban environment was noted in 88.18%, and 37.79% of the patients had reached high school education. Civil servants accounted for 23.62%. The socioeconomic level was average in 67.71% (Table 1). Inflammatory dermatoses predominated in 44.08%, and acne was the most frequent pathology (28.44%) (Table 2). The average duration of the disease was 3.22 years, and in 53.54% of the cases, the evolution was shorter than one year (Table 3). Systemic treatment associated with topical application was performed in 58.26% (Table 4). The average DLQI score was 7.08, reflecting a moderate deterioration in quality of life in 40.94% of the cases (Table 5). This alteration was moderate in both sexes equally. There was no statistically significant link between sex and quality of life (p = 0.39). Quality of life was more impaired from the age of 65 years, with an average DLQI of 12.14. There was a statistically significant link between patient age and quality of life (p = 0.00) (Table 6). However, while looking for the relationship between age and the DLQI score according to sex, we noted that quality of life was impaired in females after the age of 55 years (p = 0.01) and in males after the age of 65 years (p = 0.00). Quality of life was more impaired with a statistically significant link among farmers (p = 0.006), patients with no schooling (p = 0.014), those from rural areas (p = 0.00), those of low socio-economic level (p = 0.003), patients with autoimmune dermatoses (systemic scleroderma, systemic lupus, pemphigus vulgaris) (p = 0.00), those whose disease duration exceeding ten years (p = 0.00), and those performing a systemic treatment associated with topical application (p = 0.00).

	Table 1: Distribution of the 127 patients according to sociodemographic characteristics.
	Table 2: Distribution of the 127 patients according to clinical diagnosis.
	Table 3: Distribution of the 127 patients according to the duration of evolution.
	Table 4: Distribution of the 127 patients according to the type of treatment.
	Table 5: Distribution of the 127 patients according to DLQI score.
	Table 6: Distribution of the 127 patients according to age group and DLQI score.

DISCUSSION

Chronic dermatoses are frequent and their impact on quality of life (QOL) has not yet been studied in Niger, Beyond that, we did not find similar studies through our documentary review. In developing countries, epidemiological data collected on dermatological diseases comes mainly from the files of specialized center and do not necessarily reflect the real prevalence in the community, whereas dermatological problems are among the most frequent reasons for consultation in primary care, around 30% of patients in black Africa [4]. In Niger, the sociocultural context, the symbolic meaning of the disease and the religious belief mean that there is a certain fatality, which means that patients complain little. Over 90% of the population is Muslim [5]. Nevertheless, we found a statistically significant link between the sociodemographic, clinical characteristics, and quality of life of our patients. Advanced age, low level of education, precariousness, professions that expose to environmental factors, late consultation, non-compliance with treatment, and cultural influences, particularly in rural areas, are all often associated factors that alter the quality of life of patients suffering from chronic dermatoses. In our Sahel–Saharan context, most of the population lives in rural areas, with a low level of education and precarious financial means. The poorest are also the most likely to be affected by certain types of dermatoses due to higher levels of risky behavior (harmful cultural practices, unhealthy living conditions, psychosocial stress, recourse to traditional healers, self-medication) and highly limited access to quality care. In addition, they are more exposed to environmental factors (sun, wind, torrential rains), chemicals (fertilizers, herbicides), and allergens (pollen), likely to trigger or aggravate certain dermatoses. These patients are most often seen by the specialist at an advanced stage of their pathology causing complications and serious psychological and socioeconomic repercussions (disability, impoverishment, aggravation of already existing poverty, marital conflict and divorce). On the other hand, the clinical manifestations observed during autoimmune dermatoses may be disabling. This is the case for long-term scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and pemphigus vulgaris. A meta-analysis concluded that people with systemic sclerosis are part of a 15% segment of the population with the worst quality of life in terms of health [6]. Terrab, in Morocco, reported that pemphigus caused a significant alteration in health-related QOL [7]. Several studies reported that the QOL of patients with SLE is reduced in all areas assessed and that SLE has a great impact on QOL [8–11]. In our study, acne was the most frequent pathology, yet it slightly affected the patients’ quality of life (average DLQI: 4.69). Acne affects the quality of life of patients regardless of age and sex, yet to different degrees. Ouédraogo et al. [12] found that there was an alteration in the QOL of acne-prone pupils in Ouagadougou and that this alteration was significant for 36.78%, average for 37.51%, and slight for 25.71%. The domains of QOL affected by acne vary according to the sociocultural context: the symbolic meaning of the disease and cultural beliefs [13,14]. In Africa, acne is readily considered a banal temporary disease, even normal; it does not appear likely to alter the quality of life, although its impact on the quality of life of patients has been well documented in several countries in Europe, America, and Asia, in particular on self-esteem and mood in adolescents [15]. The chronicity of these dermatoses and the complexity of the treatment pose the problem of therapeutic compliance as in other chronic diseases (fatigue of the patient, false impression by the patient of the mastery of the treatment). The longer the duration of follow-up, the greater is the risk of poor compliance [16,17]. These last factors are often the cause of complications, recurrences, and impaired quality of life, hence the importance of good therapeutic education.

CONCLUSION

Chronic dermatoses are frequent in our context. They have an impact on the quality of life of patients, as evidenced by our study. The factors influencing this alteration are multiple and often concomitant. A periodic assessment of quality of life is desirable in order to improve their management. The latter must be global, sometimes requiring the cooperation of the dermatologist and psychiatrist.

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