Psychological profile and quality of life of patients suffering from Dermatitis artefact (DA) have never been assessed in a standardized and comparative way.

To compare anxiety, depression and quality of life in patients with DA and in patients with other chronic skin illness

Thirty patients meeting DSM-IV criteria of Dermatitis artefact were recruited in dermatology department of Farhat Hached hospital (Sousse, Tunisia). Control group consisted of 30 patients with other chronic dermatitis, randomly selected and matched for age and disease duration. Anxiety and depression were assed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD-S). Quality of life was measured by the MOS 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36).

Compared with controls, patients with DA had an impaired quality of life (p < 10^-3). They had lower scores in physical activity (p = 10^-3), limitations due to physical condition (p = 0.024), physical pain (p < 10^-3), perception of health (p < 10^-3). They also had lower scores in vitality (p = 0.005), social dysfunction (p = 0.003), limitations due to mental condition (p < 10^-3) and mental health (p < 10^-3). Anxiety and depression scores showed no differences between DA patients and controls.

Compared to patients with other chronic dermatological conditions, patients suffering from DA had a more impaired quality of life, but they were no more depressed or anxious.