TY - JOUR
T1 - The prevalence of skin diseases in Greece, impact on quality of life and stigmatization
T2 - A population-based survey study
AU - Stratigos, Alexander J.
AU - Richard, Marie A.
AU - Dessinioti, Clio
AU - Paul, Carle
AU - Nijsten, Tamar
AU - Gisondi, Paolo
AU - Salavastru, Carmen
AU - Taieb, Charles
AU - Trakatelli, Myrto
AU - Puig, Luis
AU - Tzellos, Thrasyvoulos
AU - Ioannides, Dimitrios
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Authors. JEADV Clinical Practice published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.
PY - 2024/6
Y1 - 2024/6
N2 - Background: There is no population-based evidence on the prevalence and impact of skin diseases in Greece. Objectives: To describe the prevalence of 12 main skin diseases and their impact on quality of life (QoL) and feelings of stigmatization in the Greek population. Methods: A population-based survey in an adult Greek representative sample was carried out as part of the multinational ‘EADV burden of skin diseases study’. Quality of life (QOL) was measured using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) from the EuroQol-5D (EQ. 5D) questionnaires. Results: In 1010 participants, 47.8% (n = 483) declared at least one skin disease or condition or skin-related unpleasant sensation in the last 12 months. Fungal skin infection was reported with the higher prevalence (7.5%), followed by alopecia (5.7%), atopic dermatitis (5%), acne (3.6%), sexually transmitted diseases (2.7%), psoriasis (2.2%) chronic urticaria (1.5%), rosacea (1.3%), nonmelanoma skin cancer (1.5%), vitiligo (0.6%), cutaneous melanoma (0.6%) and hidradenitis suppurativa (0.3%). Mean VAS-EQ. 5D and DLQI scores were 77.8 and 2.2, respectively. Among those reporting at least one skin problem, 68.1% reported an impact of the skin condition on their personal life and 51% reported an impact on time to take care of themselves. Regarding the impact on work-life decisions, 22.2% reoriented their professional activity, 13% were refused a professional offer, 22.2% did not get the job they hoped to and 16.7% chose their work with their skin problem in mind. Regarding feelings of stigmatization, 12% felt left out/rejected by others, 6.6% were refused access to leisure facilities and 9.8% reported the impression to be looked at with disgust. Conclusions: Our population-based study provides new information on the prevalence of skin diseases in the Southern European country of Greece and highlights the impact of prevalent skin disease on life-altering decisions and stigmatization.
AB - Background: There is no population-based evidence on the prevalence and impact of skin diseases in Greece. Objectives: To describe the prevalence of 12 main skin diseases and their impact on quality of life (QoL) and feelings of stigmatization in the Greek population. Methods: A population-based survey in an adult Greek representative sample was carried out as part of the multinational ‘EADV burden of skin diseases study’. Quality of life (QOL) was measured using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) from the EuroQol-5D (EQ. 5D) questionnaires. Results: In 1010 participants, 47.8% (n = 483) declared at least one skin disease or condition or skin-related unpleasant sensation in the last 12 months. Fungal skin infection was reported with the higher prevalence (7.5%), followed by alopecia (5.7%), atopic dermatitis (5%), acne (3.6%), sexually transmitted diseases (2.7%), psoriasis (2.2%) chronic urticaria (1.5%), rosacea (1.3%), nonmelanoma skin cancer (1.5%), vitiligo (0.6%), cutaneous melanoma (0.6%) and hidradenitis suppurativa (0.3%). Mean VAS-EQ. 5D and DLQI scores were 77.8 and 2.2, respectively. Among those reporting at least one skin problem, 68.1% reported an impact of the skin condition on their personal life and 51% reported an impact on time to take care of themselves. Regarding the impact on work-life decisions, 22.2% reoriented their professional activity, 13% were refused a professional offer, 22.2% did not get the job they hoped to and 16.7% chose their work with their skin problem in mind. Regarding feelings of stigmatization, 12% felt left out/rejected by others, 6.6% were refused access to leisure facilities and 9.8% reported the impression to be looked at with disgust. Conclusions: Our population-based study provides new information on the prevalence of skin diseases in the Southern European country of Greece and highlights the impact of prevalent skin disease on life-altering decisions and stigmatization.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85195196040&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/jvc2.287
DO - 10.1002/jvc2.287
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85195196040
SN - 2768-6566
VL - 3
SP - 591
EP - 599
JO - JEADV Clinical Practice
JF - JEADV Clinical Practice
IS - 2
ER -
