Comparison of Dermatology Life Quality Index Scores in Adults and Adolescents with Alopecia Areata

Abstract Introduction This study assessed Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores of patients with alopecia areata (AA) and compared scores between adults and adolescents. Methods This was a retrospective chart review in France, Germany, Spain, and the UK. Patients with ≥ 50% scalp hair loss (S...

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Main Authors: Kent A. Hanson, Sergio Vañó-Galván, Andrew Messenger, Helen Tran, Lynne Napatalung, Keith L. Davis, Lizzi Esterberg, Ernest H. Law
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Adis, Springer Healthcare 2025-04-01
Series:Dermatology and Therapy
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s13555-025-01417-y
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author Kent A. Hanson
Sergio Vañó-Galván
Andrew Messenger
Helen Tran
Lynne Napatalung
Keith L. Davis
Lizzi Esterberg
Ernest H. Law
author_facet Kent A. Hanson
Sergio Vañó-Galván
Andrew Messenger
Helen Tran
Lynne Napatalung
Keith L. Davis
Lizzi Esterberg
Ernest H. Law
author_sort Kent A. Hanson
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Introduction This study assessed Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores of patients with alopecia areata (AA) and compared scores between adults and adolescents. Methods This was a retrospective chart review in France, Germany, Spain, and the UK. Patients with ≥ 50% scalp hair loss (SHL) due to AA and a DLQI score recorded at their index date (first date of ≥ 50% SHL) were included. The DLQI (scale 0–30; higher scores indicate greater impact) assesses the impact of AA on health-related quality of life (QOL). Multivariable linear regression was used to examine the effect of age on DLQI score, adjusting for covariates. Modified Poisson regression analysis was used to estimate relative risks (RRs) between age groups and DLQI categories (none to moderate effect, very large effect, and extremely large effect), adjusting for covariates, including baseline Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score. Results Overall, 335 patients were included (249 adults, 86 adolescents). At index, adults had a higher mean (SD) SALT score than adolescents (63.7 [15.5] vs 60.4 [12.8]), whereas mean (SD) DLQI scores were higher in adolescents than adults (22.1 [5.3] vs 18.2 [7.5]). Most patients (84%) had DLQI scores indicating a very large or extremely large impact on their lives; this was more pronounced in adolescents than adults (98% vs 80%). In the multilinear model, adolescents had significantly higher DLQI scores than adults (β = 3.51; P < 0.001), indicating a 3.51-point increase in DLQI score associated with being an adolescent. The RR (95% CI) of a DLQI score indicating a very large effect (1.28 [1.07–1.53]) or extremely large effect (1.40 [1.21–1.61]) relative to no or moderate effect was significantly higher for adolescents vs adults. Conclusion This study demonstrates that, at the time of experiencing ≥ 50% SHL due to AA, both adults and adolescents reported significant impacts on their QOL, with a higher impact on adolescents.
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spelling doaj-art-506be4e7d184478a896bc20c7f3aff522025-08-20T03:48:15ZengAdis, Springer HealthcareDermatology and Therapy2193-82102190-91722025-04-011561543155310.1007/s13555-025-01417-yComparison of Dermatology Life Quality Index Scores in Adults and Adolescents with Alopecia AreataKent A. Hanson0Sergio Vañó-Galván1Andrew Messenger2Helen Tran3Lynne Napatalung4Keith L. Davis5Lizzi Esterberg6Ernest H. Law7Pfizer Inc.Trichology Unit, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital and Trichology and Hair Transplant Unit, Pedro Jaén Group Clinic, University of AlcaláUniversity of SheffieldPfizer Inc.Pfizer Inc.RTI Health SolutionsRTI Health SolutionsPfizer Inc.Abstract Introduction This study assessed Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores of patients with alopecia areata (AA) and compared scores between adults and adolescents. Methods This was a retrospective chart review in France, Germany, Spain, and the UK. Patients with ≥ 50% scalp hair loss (SHL) due to AA and a DLQI score recorded at their index date (first date of ≥ 50% SHL) were included. The DLQI (scale 0–30; higher scores indicate greater impact) assesses the impact of AA on health-related quality of life (QOL). Multivariable linear regression was used to examine the effect of age on DLQI score, adjusting for covariates. Modified Poisson regression analysis was used to estimate relative risks (RRs) between age groups and DLQI categories (none to moderate effect, very large effect, and extremely large effect), adjusting for covariates, including baseline Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score. Results Overall, 335 patients were included (249 adults, 86 adolescents). At index, adults had a higher mean (SD) SALT score than adolescents (63.7 [15.5] vs 60.4 [12.8]), whereas mean (SD) DLQI scores were higher in adolescents than adults (22.1 [5.3] vs 18.2 [7.5]). Most patients (84%) had DLQI scores indicating a very large or extremely large impact on their lives; this was more pronounced in adolescents than adults (98% vs 80%). In the multilinear model, adolescents had significantly higher DLQI scores than adults (β = 3.51; P < 0.001), indicating a 3.51-point increase in DLQI score associated with being an adolescent. The RR (95% CI) of a DLQI score indicating a very large effect (1.28 [1.07–1.53]) or extremely large effect (1.40 [1.21–1.61]) relative to no or moderate effect was significantly higher for adolescents vs adults. Conclusion This study demonstrates that, at the time of experiencing ≥ 50% SHL due to AA, both adults and adolescents reported significant impacts on their QOL, with a higher impact on adolescents.https://doi.org/10.1007/s13555-025-01417-yAdolescentsAdultsAlopecia areataDermatology Life Quality IndexHair lossQuality of life
spellingShingle Kent A. Hanson
Sergio Vañó-Galván
Andrew Messenger
Helen Tran
Lynne Napatalung
Keith L. Davis
Lizzi Esterberg
Ernest H. Law
Comparison of Dermatology Life Quality Index Scores in Adults and Adolescents with Alopecia Areata
Dermatology and Therapy
Adolescents
Adults
Alopecia areata
Dermatology Life Quality Index
Hair loss
Quality of life
title Comparison of Dermatology Life Quality Index Scores in Adults and Adolescents with Alopecia Areata
title_full Comparison of Dermatology Life Quality Index Scores in Adults and Adolescents with Alopecia Areata
title_fullStr Comparison of Dermatology Life Quality Index Scores in Adults and Adolescents with Alopecia Areata
title_full_unstemmed Comparison of Dermatology Life Quality Index Scores in Adults and Adolescents with Alopecia Areata
title_short Comparison of Dermatology Life Quality Index Scores in Adults and Adolescents with Alopecia Areata
title_sort comparison of dermatology life quality index scores in adults and adolescents with alopecia areata
topic Adolescents
Adults
Alopecia areata
Dermatology Life Quality Index
Hair loss
Quality of life
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s13555-025-01417-y
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