Solveig Esmann

Depression in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa

Background Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic recurrent inflammatory skin disease with abscess formation and scarring predominantly in the inverse areas. The disease is often difficult to treat and patients experience a decreased quality of life (QoL). It is hypothesized that depression is more common in HS patients than among other dermatological patients.

Risk factors, clinical course and long-term prognosis in hidradenitis suppurativa: a cross-sectional study

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) causes considerable morbidity. The long‐term prognosis is of obvious interest to both patients and physicians. We conducted this study to determine the prognosis and risk factors in patients diagnosed with HS.

The handicap caused by atopic dermatitis – sick leave and job avoidance

Background  The handicap caused by skin diseases is insufficiently described in comparison to other types of diseases (e.g. rheumatological diseases). Estimates of disease handicap provide important data for overall disease assessment, resource planning and background data for planning possible preventive intervention studies.

Questionnaire-based diagnosis of hidradenitis suppurativa: specificity, sensitivity and positive predictive value of specific diagnostic questions

Background  Estimates of the prevalence of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) range from 0·33% to 4%. Further epidemiological data are therefore needed. Because of the hidden nature of the disease, physical screening may be cumbersome and questionnaire‐based screening may be more appropriate.

Assessing the influence of actinic keratosis on patients' quality of life: the AKQoL questionnaire.

Background  Limited knowledge is available regarding quality of life in patients with actinic keratosis (AK).

Management of actinic keratosis patients: A qualitative study

Objectives: In order to reinforce the appropriate UV‐related behaviour of patients with actinic keratosis (AK), it is of importance to understand the underlying psychological aspects of having AK. Materials and methods: Open and systematic explorative interviews were conducted with 15 AK patients. Open, single interviews (n = 6) were made and summarized. Partly based on topics found by the single interviews, two qualitative group interviews (n = 7) with AK patients were performed. The topics of general importance were identified through analysis of the statements given at the group interviews. A third group interview (n = 2) was made to confirm the analytical results from the former interviews. Results: Important topics for patients with AK were found to relate to the way to act in the sun (leisure time and outdoor work), a changed appearance, the seriousness of the AK diagnosis, control of the disease, and the sense of illness due to AK. Emotional reactions included worry, fear, irritation, doubt, guilt, and a relaxed attitude. Conclusion: It is suggested that the topics touched upon form psychological and pedagogical reference points for patient behaviour. Awareness of these topics is therefore recommended in the management of patient information related to AK.

Protocol for the development of a core domain set for hidradenitis suppurativa trial outcomes

Introduction Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) should have well-defined primary and secondary outcomes to answer questions generated by the main hypotheses. However, for the chronic, inflammatory skin disease hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), the reported outcome measures are numerous and diverse. A recent systematic review found a total of 30 outcome measure instruments in 12 RCTs. This use of a broad range of outcome measures can increase difficulties in interpretation and comparison of results and may potentially obstruct appropriate evidence synthesis by causing reporting bias. One strategy for dealing with these problems is to develop a core outcome set (COS). A COS is a list of outcomes that are meant as mandatory and should be measured and reported in all clinical trials. The aim of this study is to develop a COS for the management of HS. Method and analysis An international steering group of researchers, clinicians and a patient research partner will guide the COS development. 6 stakeholder groups are involved: patients, dermatologists, surgeons, nurses, industry representatives and drug regulatory authorities. A 1:1 ratio of patients:healthcare professionals is aimed for. The initial list of candidate items will be obtained by combining three data sets: (1) a systematic review of the literature, (2) US and Danish qualitative interview studies involving patients with HS and (3) an online healthcare professional (HCP) item generation survey. To reach consensus on the COS, 4 anonymous online Delphi rounds are then planned together with 2 face-to-face consensus meetings (1 in Europe and 1 in the USA) to ensure global representation. Ethics and dissemination The study will be performed according to the Helsinki declaration. All results from the study, including inconclusive or negative results, will be published in peer-reviewed indexed journals. The study will involve different stakeholder groups to ensure that the developed COS will be suitable and well accepted.

Parent gender and assessment of infant life quality.

Objectives  The primary objective was to examine the influence of parents’ gender on the assessment of quality of life among infants with atopic dermatitis. The secondary objective was to examine the psychological factors affecting the assessment.

Quality of life in non-melanoma skin cancer--the skin cancer quality of life (SCQoL) questionnaire.

BACKGROUND Disease‐specific quality of life (QoL) questionnaires are increasingly used to provide patient‐reported out‐come measures in both malignant and non‐malignant disease. OBJECTIVE To create, validate and test the psychometrics of the Skin Cancer Quality of Life (SCQoL), which was designed to measure health‐related QoL in patients with non‐melanoma skin cancer affecting any area and undergoing any therapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS The SCQoL was developed in a stepwise approach. Three pilot studies (testing content and face validity) and psychometric testing (scale structure, reliability, domains and known‐groups validity, concurrent and convergent validity) were conducted. Rasch analyses were performed on the final questionnaire. RESULTS The initial 10‐item questionnaire was reduced to 9 items following interviews and inter‐item correlations. The nine item scale was confirmed by Item Response Theory (IRT) and internal consistency. Differential Item Functioning (DIF) was found for a single item, but the effect was small. CONCLUSION The final 9‐item SCQoL is unidimensional and consists of 3 domains covering function, emotions and control. Furthermore there is one single global item. The total score range from 0 to 27. Higher score denote a greater impairment of the QoL.

Is the Dermatology Life Quality Index really time-sensitive?

authors, we still think that a true pustular psoriasis variant affecting palms and soles exists and it is usually associated with extra-palmoplantar typical lesions of psoriasis. The term PPP should be reserved only for patients presenting with pustular lesions exclusively on palms and soles without concomitant extrapalmoplantar psoratic lesions and in association with trigger factors and ⁄ or SAPHO syndrome.