Assessment of laser therapy on the quality of life in patients with hirsutism using the dermatology life quality index

Handjani, Farhad; Saki, Nasrin; Kardeh, Bahareh; Maghsoodi, Masoomeh

Assessment of laser therapy on the quality of life in patients with hirsutism using the dermatology life quality index

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Farhad Handjani

Nasrin Saki

Bahareh Kardeh

Masoomeh Maghsoodi

Abstract

Background: Hirsutism is defined as the presence of terminal
hairs with a male-like pattern in women, due to the increased
levels of androgens or increased responses of the target organs to
androgens. Facial hirsutism has a negative effect on the quality of
life in female patients. Among the many therapeutic modalities
for hirsutism, laser therapy is of great acceptability. The long
pulse Alexandrite laser, diode laser, and Nd:YAG laser are the
most commonly used lasers in the treatment of hirsutism. In this
study, we assessed the effect of laser therapy on the quality of
life of the patients with hirsutism, using the Dermatology Life
Quality Index (DLQI) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS).
Method: Forty-two female patients with idiopathic hirsutism,
ranging from 18 to 34 years old, were studied during a course
of laser therapy lasting for at least 4 months for up to 3 courses.
Each patient completed a DLQI and VAS questionnaire before
and after treatment. The VAS questionnaire was also filled out
by the dermatologist.
Result: Following laser therapy, the average DLQI score,
decreased by 10 points (a statistically significant difference with
p- value<0.001). VAS also declined and there was a moderate to
good correlation between the VAS scores given by the patient
and the dermatologist.
Conclusion: This study demonstrated that laser therapy improved
the quality of life in patients with hirsutism.