Quality of life (QoL) outcomes in patients with contact dermatitis (CD) is rarely investigated. Thus, a study developed a standardized Contact Dermatitis Quality of Life index (CDQL) for adult patients.

A list of 81 topics was compiled utilizing literature and 2 rounds of web-based Delphi surveys were sent to the American Contact Dermatitis Society meeting, 2018 participants to rank the relevance of topics for measuring QoL in CD using a 4-point scale. The consensus was made when >/=78% of respondents ranked them as relevant or very relevant, and their median score was ≥3.25.

The following observations were made-

• 34 physicians participated in the initial survey while only 17 completed the follow-up survey.
• The consensus was made on 22 topics for inclusion in the CDQL, concerning symptoms, emotions, functions of daily living, social and physical functions, work/school functions, and treatment.
• The limitations of the study were some open-ended questions in the initial survey, a lack of direct patient feedback, and long survey length, which might have contributed to lower survey participation.

Thus the CDQL is a comprehensive, CD-specific QoL measure developed based on expert consensus via a modified Delphi process. It can be utilized by physicians and other health care professionals involved in caring for adult patients with contact dermatitis.

Source- Hill MK, Laughter MR, Harmange CI, Dellavalle RP, Rundle CW, Dunnick CA. The Contact Dermatitis Quality of Life Index (CDQL): Survey Development and Content Validity Assessment, JMIR Dermatol 2021;4(2):e30620. doi: 10.2196/30620