ASSESSING THE EFFECTS OF SEBORRHEIC DERMATITIS AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN SIALKOT, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Background: Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin condition affecting sebaceous gland-rich areas primarily the scalp, face, eyebrows, and ears and is characterized by persistent scaling, erythema, and pruritus. Although there is no substantial medical risk, its recurrent and obvious character can progressively damage a person's emotional health, social comfort, and sense of self-worth. Despite this, the majority of current research tends to concentrate only on clinical presentations and disease severity, leaving the lived experience of patients especially young students juggling a chronic skin illness with high academic pressures largely unexplored. It is challenging to comprehend the actual burden of the illness and create really patient-centered care because of this gap.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of seborrheic dermatitis on quality of life (QoL) among university students in Sialkot, Pakistan, and to investigate the ways in which clinical and demographic factors, such as gender, age, field of study, affected anatomical site, and duration of the disease, affect both the severity of the disease and quality of life outcomes specific to dermatology.

Methodology: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted between February and April 2026 among 250 university students in Sialkot, Pakistan, with a clinically confirmed diagnosis of SD. Participants were gathered from associated dermatological outpatient clinics and university campuses. Validated instruments evaluating disease severity and dermatology-specific quality of life (DLQI) were used to gather data. One-way ANOVA and independent-samples t-tests were used in the statistical analyses, with a significance level of p < 0.05.

Results: Pharm-D students made up the majority of the sample (52.4%), which was predominately female (54.4%). The most commonly afflicted area (49.6%) was the scalp. While women felt a greater burden on their quality of life, especially in the emotional and everyday functioning categories, men reported far higher illness severity ratings. Compared to those in their early twenties, younger participants (less than 20 years old) had less severe illness. Higher symptom and daily interference ratings were strongly associated with scalp involvement. Interestingly, patients with four to five years of illness had the most severe symptoms, whereas those with one to two years of illness had the most impaired quality of life. This suggests that early-stage patients may have greater difficulty adjusting and managing.

Conclusion: University students who suffer from seborrheic dermatitis have a quantifiable and substantial psychological cost that varies significantly by gender, age, illness location, and duration. These results stress the necessity for comprehensive, patient-centered therapy that incorporates mental health awareness, patient education, and individualized treatment approaches. They also show the limits of solely clinical evaluations.