DLQI
Pronunciation: dee-el-kyoo-EYE
Also written as: DLQI — Dermatology Life Quality Index
A ten-question validated questionnaire measuring the impact of skin disease on a patient's quality of life over the previous week.
Full Definition
The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) is a widely used, validated patient-reported outcome instrument consisting of ten questions across domains including symptoms, daily activities, leisure, work, relationships, and treatment impact. In cosmetic dermatology editorial work, it appears in clinical studies evaluating conditions such as acne, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation where quality of life is an endpoint. Editors must render it as 'DLQI' (all capitals, no full stops) and ensure it is not confused with FACE-Q, which is specific to facial aesthetic procedures. The DLQI is a general dermatology tool and should not be cited as cosmetic-procedure-specific.
Usage
Usage note: Spell out in full on first mention. Do not use full stops between letters. Distinguish from cosmetic-specific PRO instruments such as FACE-Q.
In Context
- "Mean DLQI scores improved significantly from 14.2 at baseline to 4.1 at week 16 in the active treatment arm." — Clinical trial results section
- "Confirm on first use that DLQI is spelled out as 'Dermatology Life Quality Index' before subsequent use of the abbreviation." — Copy-editing note