DLQI

What is DLQI

The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) is a 10-question questionnaire created by A. Finlay and G. Khan in 1994. It is the most widely used quality-of-life measure in dermatology, applicable to any skin disease, and serves as a criterion for systemic treatment in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.

How it is calculated

Each question refers to the last week: “very much” = 3, “a lot” = 2, “a little” = 1, “not at all” and “not relevant” = 0. The total is the sum, 0–30. Question 7: “yes” (prevented working or studying) = 3; after “no”, the follow-up asks how much it was a problem (2/1/0). One unanswered question scores 0; with two or more the index is not calculated.

Subscales: symptoms and feelings (1–2), daily activities (3–4), leisure (5–6), work and school (7), personal relationships (8–9), treatment (10).

How to read the result

• 0–1 — no effect on the patient’s life;
• 2–5 — small effect;
• 6–10 — moderate effect;
• 11–20 — very large effect;
• 21–30 — extremely large effect.

Using the calculator

Patients can fill in the questionnaire themselves — switch on large print. Children under 16 should use the separate CDLQI. The result with subscales prints on one A4 page.

DLQI © A. Y. Finlay, G. K. Khan, Cardiff University, 1992.

Questions and answers

What DLQI score is high?

Above 10 means a very large effect on life. In many guidelines DLQI > 10 together with skin severity supports systemic treatment.

Can DLQI be used in children?

DLQI is designed for patients aged 16 and over. Children aged 4–16 have a separate questionnaire, the CDLQI.

References

1. Finlay AY, Khan GK. Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) — a simple practical measure for routine clinical use. Clin Exp Dermatol. 1994;19(3):210–216.
2. Hongbo Y, Thomas CL, Harrison MA, Salek MS, Finlay AY. Translating the science of quality of life into practice: what do Dermatology Life Quality Index scores mean? J Invest Dermatol. 2005;125(4):659–664.
3. Lewis-Jones MS, Finlay AY. The Children’s Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI): initial validation and practical use. Br J Dermatol. 1995;132(6):942–949.