Original articleCorrelates of self-reported quality of life in adults and children with morphea

BackgroundDetermining a disease's impact on life quality is important in clinical decision making, research, and resource allocation. Determinants of quality of life (QOL) in morphea are poorly understood.ObjectiveWe sought to ascertain demographic and clinical variables correlated with negative impact on self-reported QOL in morphea.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey of the Morphea in Adults and Children cohort.ResultsSymptoms (pruritus and pain) and functional impairment were correlated with decreased QOL in children and adults. This was true in both sexes and was independent of subtype and age. Patient-reported QOL correlated with physician-based measures of disease severity in adults, but not in children. Patients with linear and generalized morphea had the greatest impact on QOL.LimitationsSmall sample size is a limitation.ConclusionSymptoms and functional impairment were determinants of impaired life quality in both children and adults independent of morphea subtype. These results suggest that clinicians should consider suppressing the accumulation of new lesions (when rapidly accumulating) and symptoms (pain and pruritus) in the treatment of patients with morphea.