Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI): Validated 10-item questionnaire used to assess the impact of skin disease on the quality of life of an adult patient.
1
Over the last week, how itchy, sore, painful or stinging has your skin been?
2
Over the last week, how embarrassed or self conscious have you been because of your skin?
3
Over the last week, how much has your skin interfered with you going shopping or looking after your home or garden?
4
Over the last week, how much has your skin influenced the clothes you wear?
5
Over the last week, how much has your skin affected any social or leisure activities?
6
Over the last week, how much has your skin made it difficult for you to do any sport?
7
Over the last week, has your skin prevented you from working or studying?
8
Over the last week, how much has your skin been a problem with your partner or any of your close friends or relatives?
9
Over the last week, how much has your skin caused any sexual difficulties?
10
Over the last week, how much of a problem has the treatment for your skin been, for example by making your home messy, or by taking up time?
Guidelines & Evidence
Clinical Details
Section 1
When to Use
When to Use
Evaluating the impact of skin disease on a patient’s quality of life.
Psoriasis, chronic urticaria, atopic dermatitis, and hyperhidrosis assessments.
Often required by insurance to approve biologic therapies.
Section 2
Formula & Logic
Scoring
Consists of 10 questions covering symptoms, embarrassment, shopping, clothes, social/leisure, sport, work/study, relationships, sex, and treatment.
Each question scored: "Very much" (3), "A lot" (2), "A little" (1), "Not at all" / "Not relevant" (0).
Max score is 30.
Section 3
Pearls/Pitfalls
Limitations
Biased against patients who do not work, study, or engage in sexual activities, as scoring "Not relevant" yields a 0.
May not accurately reflect QoL impact in sensitive areas (genital psoriasis) if the patient skips the questions.
