A review of the use of the dermatology life quality index as a criterion in clinical guidelines and health technology assessments in psoriasis and chronic hand eczema

The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) is an easy and practical way of quantifying the impact of skin disease. The role of DLQI in treatment guidelines and its emergence as an eligibility and response criterion in health technology appraisal are discussed. This review analyzes the current available literature on the clinical use of the DLQI, with particular reference to its relationship with disease severity and as a criterion in the assessment of health technology. The need for future studies of chronic hand eczema to incorporate DLQI to document quality-of-life outcomes with new treatments is also discussed