Patient-reported outcomes and quality of life in recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa: A global cross-sectional survey

Background: A spectrum of skin disease severity exists in patients with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB). Objective: To characterize the patient-reported outcomes and quality of life (QOL) in patients with RDEB. . Methods: A cross-sectional study of patients with RDEB surveyed through the global EBCare Registry. Patient-reported outcomes included skin disease severity, wound characteristics, pain, itch, extracutaneous symptoms, and medications. QOL was measured by using the validated Quality of Life in Epidermolysis Bullosa instrument. Results: A total of 85 patients with RDEB reported 1226 wounds (937 recurrent wounds and 289 chronic open wounds). Overall skin disease severity was self-reported as mild (26%; 22/83), moderate (48%; 40/ 83), or severe (25%; 21/83). Worsening skin disease severity was significantly associated with larger wounds, increased opiate use, anemia, gastrostomy tube use, infections, osteoporosis, and squamous cell carcinoma. Larger wound size was associated with worse quality of life scores. Limitations: All data were self-reported from an online epidermolysis bullosa patient registry. Conclusions: This study shows a significant correlation between larger wound size with worsening skin disease severity and quality of life in participants with RDEB. Worsening skin disease severity significantly correlated with key clinical manifestations. These results show that patients with RDEB are able to self report their skin disease severity and wounds. ( J Am Acad Dermatol 2021;85:1161-7.)

Automated summary

The study revealed a significant correlation between skin disease severity and quality of life in patients with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. Symptoms like pain and itch were associated with worsening skin disease severity, while larger wound size was linked to worse quality of life.