Background:
Dermatosis papulosa nigra (
DPN) is a skin condition characterized by pigmented sessile and pedunculated papules on the body, particularly on the face and other sun-exposed areas, that can cause cosmetic disfigurement and varying degrees of distress and psychosocial concern among patients. Objective: We sought to evaluate the effect of
DPN on quality of life (QoL). Methods: A 39-item questionnaire was administered to 50 African-American (AA) adults, 48 women and two men, with an average age of 51.7 years and visible
DPN lesions at a dermatology clinic. We collected demographic information, family history, prior treatment, as well as type(s), frequency, duration of lesions, and attitudes about lesions. Dermatologic QoL (DLQI) survey scores were used to quantify the effect that
DPN had on QoL. RESULTS: Most subjects reported lesions on the face (86%); 49 percent reported between 10 to 30 lesions on the body. The average age of diagnosis was 44.7 years (±15.51 years). Further, 84 percent of subjects reported having a firstdegree relative with
DPN. Most patients reported little to no symptoms from their
DPN (82%), while 36 percent had previously visited a physician due to their
DPN.
Electrocautery and
cryosurgery were the most common methods of
DPN removal. All subjects who had their
DPN lesions removed reported improvement in the appearance of their skin. The average (standard deviation) DLQI score was six points (±5.42 points), which indicates that
DPN has a moderate effect on QoL. Conclusion: Our study results reveal the high likelihood of a family history of
DPN in subjects with the condition. Overall, most subjects reported few symptoms of
DPN and their QoL was only moderately affected by
DPN. Still, patients might benefit from the removal of
DPN lesions.