Quality of Life in Patients with Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis is a zoonotic infection caused by a protozoa belonging to the genus Leishmania. Its clinical manifestations range from a self-healing cutaneous leishmaniasis to lethal visceral leishmaniasis. We aimed to study the quality of life of patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis in Kerman, Iran. In this cross–sectional study, patients aged more than 16 years with cutaneous leishmaniasis referring to the Department of Dermatology, Kerman Medical School, were enrolled using the simple random sampling method. Data were collected using a demographic data questionnaire including the characteristics of the lesions such as type, size, location, condition, activity of lesions, and previous treatment, the dermatology life quality index (DLQI). A total of 124 patients were enrolled with mean age of 36.9 (±14.9) years (46 men and 78 women). Mean DLQI score was 5.87(±5.96). The highest effect was seen in the symptoms and feelings domains and the lowest effect was seen in the treatment domain of the questionnaire. Quality of life was similar in men and women. Single patients had better mental health compared with married patients. Patients with ulcerated lesions had lower quality of life. Cutaneous leishmaniasis has significant effects on the quality of life of patients. Therefore, its treatment, especially in the ulcerous group, can improve the quality of life in these patients.