RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Eczema of foot adversely impacts daily activities, work productivity, and interpersonal relationships. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study collated epidemiological data of 70 outpatients of foot eczema, evaluated their quality of life by 10-item dermatology life quality index (DLQI) questionnaire, and undertook the correlation thereof. RESULTS: Cases were predominantly males (48; 68.5%); 26 (37.1%) belonged to fifth decade of life and 47 (67%) presented within 12 months of onset. Dorsa of feet was involved in most (59; 84.2%) cases. Itching was a universal complaint followed by scaling (51; 72.9%), dryness (22; 31.4%), and oozing (21; 30%). History of atopy was reported by 15 (21.4%) patients; tobacco and/or alcohol abuse 32 (45.7%) patients; past treatment was received by 37 (52.9%) patients; and winter aggravation in 9 (12.3%) patients. Mean DLQI score was 13.64; with very large effect (11-20) on QoL in 38 (54.3%) patients; moderate (6-10) in 15 (21.4%) patients; extremely large (21-30) in 9 (12.9%) patients; and small (2-5) in 8 (11.4%) patients. Mean scores of questions of DLQI tool were 2.46 in first question (symptoms), 1.99 in fifth (social activities); 1.81 in seventh (working/studying); and 0.17 in fourth (clothes) question. Significant (P < 0.05) impairment of quality of life emerged with respect of burning, scaling, oozing, history of atopy, seasonal variation, and past treatment. CONCLUSION: Our study reports significant association of atopy, winter aggravation, past treatment, burning, scaling, and oozing with adverse quality of life in our study on cases of foot eczema and appears to be first study from India.
RESUMO
CONTEXT: Eczema of hand or foot though not life-threatening, not only impacts daily activities and work productivity adversely, but also impairs interpersonal relationships. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 100 outpatients of hand and foot eczema at a tertiary care teaching institute. Epidemiological data was collated and quality of life (QoL) evaluated by dermatology life quality index (DLQI) score. RESULTS: Forty seven had hand eczema, 45; foot eczema and 8; both. Peak incidence of hand eczema (38.2%) was in fourth decade and foot eczema (33.3%), fifth decade. Hand eczema was more frequent in females (32; 68%) and foot eczema in males (32; 71.1%). Hand eczema was more common among housewives (14; 29.7%) and foot eczema among manual labourers (26; 57.7%). A persistent course was seen in foot (44; 83%) whereas recurrent course in hand eczema (21; 38.1%). Aggravation on contact with irritants/allergens was associated more with hand (32; 58.1%) than with foot eczema (18; 33.9%). Association with atopy was not significant. Substance abuse was associated more with foot eczema (25; 47.1%). Impairment in QoL was significantly higher in hand eczema (mean DLQI, 16.33) as compared to foot eczema (12.83). CONCLUSION: Hand eczema prevalent among females showed a high rate of recurrence whereas foot eczema in males, has a persistent course. Atopy is not significantly associated. The impairment in QoL is much greater in hand eczema as compared to foot eczema. The studies on comparative analysis of hand vis-à-vis foot eczema do not appear to exist in literature whereas studies of QoL impairment on hand eczema are abound.