Background
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a common parasitic infectious disease which is distributed worldwide. Despite low morbidity rate, the disorder negatively impacts on psychological well-being and social life of patients. We aimed to evaluate the frequency of psychiatric morbidity including depression and anxiety levels as well as quality of life (QOL) in children with CL.
Materials and Methods
In this cross-sectional study, 42 children with CL who referred to the Leishmaniasis clinic of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran, were enrolled by the convenience sampling method. Levels of depression and anxiety were assessed with the Child Depression Inventory (CDI), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventories for Children (STAIC), respectively. QOL was evaluated by means of Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI). Questionnaires were filled by parents according to the children’s answers.
Results
Forty-two patients including 29 girls (69.04%), and 13 boys (30.95%) with mean age of 9.10 ± 1.87 years were studied. According to the CDI scores, 13 patients (30.95%) had depression disorder. Girls showed significantly more depression compared to boys (p = 0.021). According to the STAIC scores, 9 patients (21.42%) had anxiety state, and 6 patients (14.28%) had anxiety trait. Non-acceptable QOL was detected in 24 patients (57.14%). Significant lower QOL was detected in patients with divorced parents (p = 0.038), and those who had lesions on head and neck compared to other parts of the body (p = 0.023).
Conclusion
Based on the results, CL in children leads to disturbed QOL and mental health including depression and anxiety among affected patients. Psychological survey of children with CL should be considered through interdisciplinary scrutiny that combines dermatological and psychiatric evaluations.