Study of quality of life in patients with seborrheic keratosis using different treatment regimens

Abstract

Objective of this work is to evaluate the effect of a new topical treatment scheme for seborrheic keratosis on the quality of life in comparison with invasive electrocoagulation technique in terms of secondary changes in the skin (dyschromia, scarring). Materials and methods. 90 patients with seborrheic keratoses (77 females (85.6%), 13 males (14.4%)) were examined at the "University Clinic" and the Department of Dermatovenerology and Cosmetology with the Course of Aesthetic Medicine of FPE of ZSMU. Clinical, dermatoscopic, ultrasound, and pathomorphological examinations were performed for diagnostic purposes. The patients were randomly allocated into 2 groups. Local therapy was recommended as treatment for the first group (n=60). Patients in the second group (n=30) were prescribed electrocoagulation to remove neoplasms. Quality of life was assessed using the standardized DLQI index. The degree of discomfort with the application of a 30% hydrogen peroxide solution was assessed using a visual analog scale. Results. Only 13 patients (21,66%) in Group I had secondary skin changes in the form of hypopigmentation. At the same time 26 (86,66%) patients of Group II had an undesirable result after removal in the form of scar changes. Assessment of quality of life also indicates a significant difference when comparing topical and invasive treatment. According to the questionnaire results, patients in the main group had a score of 5 (4;6), whereas in the case of electrocoagulation removal the score was 7 (6;9) (U=373.5; p=0,000005). Conclusions. The use of topical agents in the treatment of seborrheic keratosis demonstrates effective efficacy in the extent of skin clearing of these neoplasms.