Background: Keratosis pilaris (KP) is a chronic, occasionally relapsing skin disease that has long-term physical and mental health impacts in Thai patients.

Objective: To study skin rash characters, clinical course, treatment satisfaction, and quality of life in Thai patients with KP.

Materials and Methods: Patients were recruited at the skin clinic of a 700-bed regional hospital between July 2020 and December 2021. Clinical presentation and course were recorded at enrollment. Dermatologist thoroughly examined the cutaneous lesions. Patients answered the Thai version of the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire at enrollment and then, recorded treatment satisfaction and response to the same DLQI questionnaire at one and three months after receiving the standard treatment. The present study was approved by the IRB, Pranangklao Hospital (code ID 6206).

Results: One hundred sixty-four KP patients with 69.5% female, completed the present study. Patients visited skin clinic due to rash of KP at enrollment in 47 female (41.2%) and 23 male (46%). Severity of KP was perceived as stable or worsen in 46 female (40.4%) and 22 male (44%). Age onset of KP was most common in the second decade for 43.9%. The lesions appeared most frequently on calves for 64%. Patients with high, normal, and low BMI had skin rash presented in 19%, 17%, and 15% of their body surface area, and the numbers of papule on average was 5, 5, and 3.5 per square centimeter, respectively. Forty-eight cases (29.3%) suffered poor quality of life, which was improved after receiving standard treatment.

Conclusion: Clinical features and course of KP in most Thai patients were similar to international studies. However, rash appeared more commonly in the calves of Thai patients. Standard treatment improved patients’ satisfactions and quality of life at 1- and 3-month follow-up.

Keywords: Keratosis pilaris; Clinical features; Treatment satisfaction; Dermatologic Life Quality Index; Quality of life

DOI: 10.35755/jmedassocthai.2023.01.13729

Received 7 November 2022 | Revised 28 November 2022 | Accepted 9 December 2022