Use of the Dermatology Life Quality Index in filarial lymphoedema patients

The global programme to eliminate lymphatic filariasis has alleviation of suffering and disability as one of its components, and many efforts are being taken across the globe in this direction. However, there is no effective tool to assess the impact of these efforts on patients' quality of life and/or lessening of disability and suffering. The present paper reports the use of the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) in filarial lymphoedema patients. DLQI scores were collected from 203 patients recruited from a clinic and from the community. The DLQI score ranged from 0 to 17, and a mean score of 2.7 (SD 4.4) or 9.0% disability. This score is lower than many skin diseases reported so far. The scores for individual questions vary, but the degree of consistency of responses between questions is high. The differences between sexes, place of recruitment and grades of lymphoedema are not significant. Although the DLQI measures the quality of life due to lymphoedema, this study further warrants development of a good quality-of-life index for lymphoedema patients.