Cutaneous Leishmaniasis and Quality of Life

Introduction: Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected tropical disease caused by Leishmania parasites. It is prevalent and affecting the quality of human life in more than 100 countries globally. The impact of CL as a public health problem has often been expressed in epidemiological and clinical prevalence and incidence figures. However, considering the impact of the disease beyond morbidity, mortality and changes in patient’s appearance would help to better understand the disease.

Aim: This study determined the effect of CL on quality of life.

Methods: The sociodemographic and clinical information related to the disease was collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The questions were categorised under seven domains: symptoms & feelings, daily activities, work and school, leisure, personal relationships, and treatment. Each question was scored on a three-point scale: Very much (3), A lot (2), A little (1), Undecided (0), and Not at all (0). The sum of the scores lay between 0 and 48. A higher score shows a worse quality of life. The data were entered and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science 23. Frequencies and proportions were used to describe the data. Differences were considered statistically significant at p < 0.05.

Results: The lives of the majority (60.7%) of CL patients were significantly affected by CL. The quality of life of patients was moderately impacted by CL in 25% of the CL patients. In 32.1% of the CL patients, the effect of CL on patients’ quality of life was very large. The quality of one CL patient’s life was extremely largely affected. The disease had a small effect on 32.1% of the CL patients. Personal relationship was the most affected domain followed by symptoms, feelings and treatment. Future study with large sample sizes including rural regions is required. The domain related to personal relationships was the most affected domain followed by symptoms and feelings, treatment and leisure. Patients with CL lesions might develop a broad spectrum of psychosocial sufferings.

Conclusion: The Dermatology Life Quality Index demonstrates that CL has a small to extremely very large negative effect on the quality of life of patients. This study informs future programs and interventions aimed at mitigating the adverse consequences of this disease on individuals' quality of life.