Effects of cutaneous leishmaniasis on health-related quality of life: A longitudinal approach

Introduction: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected tropical disease that significantly affects patients’ physical, psychological, and social well-being. Although previous studies have documented health-related quality of life (HRQoL) impairments associated with CL, most have relied on cross-sectional data, providing only a snapshot of the disease burden. Few studies have examined HRQoL progression over time or explored treatment effects from the patient’s perspective. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate changes in HRQoL among CL patients at three time points: before treatment, during treatment, and after treatment, using the Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Impact Questionnaire (CLIQ). Methods: A longitudinal observational study was conducted from October 2020 to April 2023 at a specialized center in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, involving 143 CL patients. The CLIQ was administered at diagnosis, during treatment (up to 30 days post-treatment), and at least 90 days after treatment initiation. Analyses included descriptive statistics, group comparisons using nonparametric methods, and correlation assessments based on rank-order relationships. Findings: Of the 143 patients enrolled, 120 completed all assessments. Median CLIQ scores improved significantly from pre-treatment (24, IQR 16–36) to post-treatment (15, IQR 8.25–25; p