Supplementary data to 'Itch in patients with Cutaneous T cell lymphoma as a quality of life indicator'

Background
Cutaneous T-Cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a chronic and progressive disease that has a major impact on Quality of Life (QoL).

Objectives
To describe the impact of the different stages of disease in patients with classical Mycosis Fungoides (MF), Folliculotropic mycosis fungoides (FMF) and Sézary syndrome (SS) on generic- and dermatology-specific QoL and the relation with itch.

Methods
A cross-sectional cohort study of patients with classical MF, FMF, and SS was performed. Outcomes were the Skindex-29 score, Impact of Chronic Skin Disease on Daily Life which includes a VAS itch, and RAND-12.

Results
106 patients with CTCL were included. Compared to the total MF group, patients with SS had significantly worse Skindex-29 scores. Patients with advanced disease had statistically higher scores for the symptom (p=.007), functioning (p=.002), and total score (p=.012). The degree of itching was strongly correlated with the total Skindex-29 score (R= 0.713, p<.001).

Conclusion
The different stages of CTCL can have a significant effect on multiple domains of generic- and dermatology-specific QoL. Itch was strongly correlated with QoL, and therefore can be used as an overall QoL indicator. The effect on QoL, even in patients with early stage disease, should not be underestimated.