QOL Evaluation of the Atopic Dermatitis Patients who Have Eruption on Their Face by Using Skindex29©Japanese Version (First Report) - QOL improvement after the treatment with the tacrolimus ointment

Background: Erythematous eruptions on the faces of adult patients with atopic dermatitis are estimated to harm their quality of life (QOL). Methods: We tried the evaluation of QOL in 24 atopic dermatitis patients who have the erythematous eruptions on their faces by using Skindex29®, which is shown to be useful for the QOL evaluation in the dermatological patients, and the evaluation of skin conditions by themselves and by doctors. Results: The average scores in Skindex29® before the treatment were 42 in symptom, 26 in function and 46 in emotion, and the question items representing highest scores were that asked for "skin sensitivity" and "itching". In the patients who could continue the tacrolimus ointment for 1 month (11 patients), all the categories in Skindex29® were significantly improved, according to the significant recovery with their skin conditions evaluated by both patient themselves and doctors. Conclusions: These results suggest that tacrolimus ointment is useful for the treatment of atopic dermatitis not only by the aspects of skin conditions but also by the improvement of their QOL.