EXPLORATION OF SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC AND CLINICAL PATTERN IN VULVAL DERMATOMES AND ITS IMPACT ON QUALITY OF LIFE WITH DLQI (DERMATOLOGY LIFE QUALITY INDEX)

Abstract

Background: Vulval dermatoses can appear in a variety of ways, ranging from no symptoms to a long-term handicap. 
Because vaginal dermatoses are complex diseases with physical manifestations that significantly impair the quality of life 
for those who are affected, they are challenging to diagnose and treat. 
Aim: The current clinical study's goal was to investigate the clinical and sociodemographic patterns in vulval dermatomes 
and how they affect DLQI (dermatology life quality index) quality of life. 
Methods: All age groups of female individuals with vulval lesions were evaluated for the research. Lesions were 
classified as oro genital and skin lesions, oro genital lesions, genital and skin lesions, and genital lesions alone, depending 
on the place of assessment. The quality of life and DLQI scores were evaluated using the DLQI questionnaire.  
Results: Of the 260 participants, 33.8% (n=88) were between the ages of 31 and 40, 49.61% (n=129) were illiterate, 
82.69% (n=215) were housewives, and 91.92% (n=239) of the participants were married. Itching was the most common 
complaint among the majority of research participants, accounting for 43.07% (n=112) of the total. The majority of 
research participants (n = 200) had vulval dermatoses identified as infections, with inflammatory and immunobullous 
diseases coming in second and third, respectively, with 15%, n = 39, and 1.53%, n = 4. Individuals with oral 
communication had significantly higher DLQI scores. Individuals with immunobullous diseases exhibited the greatest 
mean DLQI scores and skin and genital involvement (p<0.05).  
Conclusion: According to the study's findings, individuals with genital, skin, and oral lesions had the highest DLQI 
ratings, which significantly affected their quality of life. Evaluating how a disease is affecting a person's quality of life is 
crucial since it promotes better disease management and shortens the course of the illness.