What the DLQI Asks and Why It Matters for Treatment Decisions
If your PASI looks fine on paper but your psoriasis quality of life feels anything but, you are running into the gap that the Dermatology Life Quality Index was built to close. The DLQI is a 10 item validated questionnaire developed at Cardiff University. It covers symptoms and feelings, daily activities, leisure, work and school, personal relationships, and treatment burden over the past week. Most dermatologists already use it. The template below lets you bring your own scored version into the room.
does not match how the disease actually feels, the Dermatology Life Quality Index is the tool your dermatologist uses to close that gap. The DLQI is a 10 item validated questionnaire developed at Cardiff University that covers symptoms and feelings, daily activities, leisure, work and school, personal relationships, and treatment burden over the past week. This DLQI psoriasis quality of life is designed to help you do exactly that.
The reason DLQI matters is not academic. Treatment guidelines in many countries, including NICE guidelines in the UK and the American Academy of Dermatology guidance in the US, use DLQI scores alongside PASI scores to decide whether a patient qualifies for a biologic. A PASI that looks moderate on paper combined with a DLQI that shows major life impact can change your treatment options.
If you have ever had a clinician glance at your elbows, decide your case looks mild, and move on while you were quietly losing sleep, skipping the pool, or dreading meetings, you are not imagining the disconnect. PASI measures plaques. DLQI measures the part of the disease that actually runs your week. Documenting both is how you stop the conversation from defaulting to whichever number is lower.
If you have ever had a clinician glance at your elbows, decide your case looks mild, and move on while you were quietly losing sleep, skipping the pool, or dreading meetings, you are not imagining the disconnect. PASI measures plaques. DLQI measures the part of the disease that actually runs your week. Documenting both is how you stop the conversation from defaulting to whichever number is lower.
If you have ever had a clinician glance at your elbows, decide your case looks mild, and move on while you were quietly losing sleep, skipping the pool, or dreading meetings, you are not imagining the disconnect. PASI measures plaques. DLQI measures the part of the disease that actually runs your week. Documenting both is how you stop the conversation from defaulting to whichever number is lower.
If you have ever had a clinician glance at your elbows, decide your case looks mild, and move on while you were quietly losing sleep, skipping the pool, or dreading meetings, you are not imagining the disconnect. PASI measures plaques. DLQI measures the part of the disease that actually runs your week. Documenting both is how you stop the conversation from defaulting to whichever number is lower.
If you have ever had a clinician glance at your elbows, decide your case looks mild, and move on while you were quietly losing sleep, skipping the pool, or dreading meetings, you are not imagining the disconnect. PASI measures plaques. DLQI measures the part of the disease that actually runs your week. Documenting both is how you stop the conversation from defaulting to whichever number is lower.
If you have ever had a clinician glance at your elbows, decide your case looks mild, and move on while you were quietly losing sleep, skipping the pool, or dreading meetings, you are not imagining the disconnect. PASI measures plaques. DLQI measures the part of the disease that actually runs your week. Documenting both is how you stop the conversation from defaulting to whichever number is lower.
If you have ever had a clinician glance at your elbows, decide your case looks mild, and move on while you were quietly losing sleep, skipping the pool, or dreading meetings, you are not imagining the disconnect. PASI measures plaques. DLQI measures the part of the disease that actually runs your week. Documenting both is how you stop the conversation from defaulting to whichever number is lower.
If you have ever had a clinician glance at your elbows, decide your case looks mild, and move on while you were quietly losing sleep, skipping the pool, or dreading meetings, you are not imagining the disconnect. PASI measures plaques. DLQI measures the part of the disease that actually runs your week. Documenting both is how you stop the conversation from defaulting to whichever number is lower.
If you have ever had a clinician glance at your elbows, decide your case looks mild, and move on while you were quietly losing sleep, skipping the pool, or dreading meetings, you are not imagining the disconnect. PASI measures plaques. DLQI measures the part of the disease that actually runs your week. Documenting both is how you stop the conversation from defaulting to whichever number is lower.
Key Takeaways
- DLQI is a 10 item validated questionnaire that captures the real life impact of skin disease.
- A DLQI score above 10 is generally considered a very large effect on quality of life.
- Tracking DLQI alongside PASI makes your treatment conversation reflect both severity and impact.
- Some treatment access decisions depend on DLQI, which is a reason to document it consistently.
- A weekly DLQI entry is quicker than people expect and takes about two minutes.
How DLQI Scoring Works
Each of the 10 questions is rated from 0 to 3 based on how much the statement applied over the last week. 0 is not at all, 1 is a little, 2 is a lot, and 3 is very much. Some questions can also be marked “not relevant,” which scores as 0. The total ranges from 0 to 30. Higher scores mean greater impact on your life.
, 1 is a little, 2 is a lot, and 3 is very much. Some questions can also be marked “not relevant,” which scores as 0. The total ranges from 0 to 30. Higher scores mean greater impact on your life.
, 1 is a little, 2 is a lot, and 3 is very much. Some questions can also be marked “not relevant,” which scores as 0. The total ranges from 0 to 30. Higher scores mean greater impact on your life.
, 1 is a little, 2 is a lot, and 3 is very much. Some questions can also be marked “not relevant,” which scores as 0. The total ranges from 0 to 30. Higher scores mean greater impact on your life.
, 1 is a little, 2 is a lot, and 3 is very much. Some questions can also be marked “not relevant,” which scores as 0. The total ranges from 0 to 30. Higher scores mean greater impact on your life.
, 1 is a little, 2 is a lot, and 3 is very much. Some questions can also be marked “not relevant,” which scores as 0. The total ranges from 0 to 30. Higher scores mean greater impact on your life.
, 1 is a little, 2 is a lot, and 3 is very much. Some questions can also be marked “not relevant,” which scores as 0. The total ranges from 0 to 30. Higher scores mean greater impact on your life.
, 1 is a little, 2 is a lot, and 3 is very much. Some questions can also be marked “not relevant,” which scores as 0. The total ranges from 0 to 30. Higher scores mean greater impact on your life.
, 1 is a little, 2 is a lot, and 3 is very much. Some questions can also be marked “not relevant,” which scores as 0. The total ranges from 0 to 30. Higher scores mean greater impact on your life.
, 1 is a little, 2 is a lot, and 3 is very much. Certain questions can also be marked “not relevant,” which scores as 0. The total ranges from 0 to 30, with higher scores meaning greater impact.
The validated interpretation bands are 0 to 1 no effect, 2 to 5 small effect, 6 to 10 moderate effect, 11 to 20 very large effect, and 21 to 30 extremely large effect on your life. Research by Finlay and colleagues at Cardiff University established these bands, and they have been used in clinical practice and research ever since.
, 6 to 10 moderate effect, 11 to 20 very large effect, and 21 to 30 extremely large effect on the patient’s life. Research by Finlay and colleagues at Cardiff University established these bands and they have been widely used in both clinical practice and research since.
The 10 Questions in Plain Language
The template below is a paraphrased version of the DLQI so you can use it for tracking. For a clinical or insurance submission, use the official Cardiff University DLQI document through your dermatologist.
Symptoms and Feelings
How itchy, sore, painful, or stinging has your skin been over the last week. How embarrassed or self conscious have you felt because of your skin.
Daily Activities
How much has your skin interfered with shopping, home, or yard activities. How much has your skin influenced the clothes you wear.
Leisure
How much has your skin affected social or leisure activities. How difficult has sport been because of your skin.
Work or School
Has your skin prevented you from working or studying. If not, how much has it been a problem at work or school.
Personal Relationships
How much has your skin created problems with your partner, close friends, or relatives. How much has your skin caused sexual difficulties.
Treatment
How much of a problem has your treatment been, for example by making your home messy or by taking up time.
The Weekly DLQI Log
| Week of | Q1 Itch/sore | Q2 Embarrassed | Q3 Activities | Q4 Clothes | Q5 Social | Q6 Sport | Q7 Work | Q8 Relationships | Q9 Sexual | Q10 Treatment | Total (0-30) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| __/__ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ |
| __/__ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ |
| __/__ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ |
| __/__ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ |
| __/__ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ |
| __/__ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ | ___ |
Each week, score the 10 items from 0 to 3 based on the past week. Add them up. Write the total in the final column. Two minutes, once a week.
How to Use Your DLQI Trend to Improve Psoriasis Quality of Life
How to Use Your DLQI Trend to Improve Psoriasis Quality of Life
How to Use Your DLQI Trend to Improve Psoriasis Quality of Life
How to Use Your DLQI Trend to Improve Psoriasis Quality of Life
How to Use Your DLQI Trend to Improve Psoriasis Quality of Life
to Improve Psoriasis Quality of Life
to Improve Psoriasis Quality of Life
to Improve Psoriasis Quality of Life
to Improve Psoriasis Quality of Life
to Improve Psoriasis Quality of Life
to Improve Psoriasis Quality of Life
to Improve Psoriasis Quality of Life
to Improve Psoriasis Quality of Life
The single number is useful. The trend is more useful. If your DLQI was 14 at the start of a new biologic and has dropped to 6 after 16 weeks, that is a strong response. If it was 14 at the start and is still 13 after 16 weeks, the treatment may not be working for the parts of life that matter most to you, even if the visible lesions have improved somewhat.
Bring the log to your dermatology visits. The trend is especially useful for conversations about biologic access, treatment switches, and insurance authorization, where written documentation of life impact often changes which treatments are actually on the table. If your psoriasis overlaps with joint pain or stiffness, the same weekly habit pairs naturally with the arthritis flare tracking guide for rheumatology visits, which many people with psoriatic arthritis use alongside DLQI.
The trend is especially useful for conversations about biologic access, treatment switches, and insurance authorization, where written documentation of life impact often changes which treatments are actually on the table. If your psoriasis overlaps with joint pain or stiffness, the same weekly habit pairs naturally with the arthritis flare tracking guide for rheumatology visits, which many people with psoriatic arthritis use alongside DLQI.
The trend is especially useful for conversations about biologic access, treatment switches, and insurance authorization, where written documentation of life impact often changes which treatments are actually on the table. If your psoriasis overlaps with joint pain or stiffness, the same weekly habit pairs naturally with the arthritis flare tracking guide for rheumatology visits, which many people with psoriatic arthritis use alongside DLQI.
The trend is especially useful for conversations about biologic access, treatment switches, and insurance authorization, where written documentation of life impact often changes which treatments are actually on the table. If your psoriasis overlaps with joint pain or stiffness, the same weekly habit pairs naturally with the arthritis flare tracking guide for rheumatology visits, which many people with psoriatic arthritis use alongside DLQI.
The trend is especially useful for conversations about biologic access, treatment switches, and insurance authorization, where written documentation of life impact often changes which treatments are actually on the table. If your psoriasis overlaps with joint pain or stiffness, the same weekly habit pairs naturally with the arthritis flare tracking guide for rheumatology visits, which many people with psoriatic arthritis use alongside DLQI.
The trend is especially useful for conversations about biologic access, treatment switches, and insurance authorization, where written documentation of life impact often changes which treatments are actually on the table. If your psoriasis overlaps with joint pain or stiffness, the same weekly habit pairs naturally with the arthritis flare tracking guide for rheumatology visits, which many people with psoriatic arthritis use alongside DLQI.
The trend is especially useful for conversations about biologic access, treatment switches, and insurance authorization, where written documentation of life impact often changes which treatments are actually on the table. If your psoriasis overlaps with joint pain or stiffness, the same weekly habit pairs naturally with the arthritis flare tracking guide for rheumatology visits, which many people with psoriatic arthritis use alongside DLQI.
The trend is especially useful for conversations about biologic access, treatment switches, and insurance authorization, where written documentation of life impact often changes which treatments are actually on the table. If your psoriasis overlaps with joint pain or stiffness, the same weekly habit pairs naturally with the arthritis flare tracking guide for rheumatology visits, which many people with psoriatic arthritis use alongside DLQI.
The trend is especially useful for conversations about biologic access, treatment switches, and insurance authorization, where written documentation of life impact often changes which treatments are actually on the table. If your psoriasis overlaps with joint pain or stiffness, the same weekly habit pairs naturally with the arthritis flare tracking guide for rheumatology visits, which many people with psoriatic arthritis use alongside DLQI.
DLQI is especially important for conversations about biologic access, treatment switches, and the insurance authorization process, where the written documentation of impact can change what treatments are available.
For a digital version that calculates the DLQI total automatically and tracks the trend over time, the Psoriasis Tracker app includes the DLQI alongside a body region tracker. If you want to layer treatment response on top of the score, the psoriasis treatment log template pairs cleanly with this one. Readers managing overlapping skin conditions often combine it with the eczema tracker as well.
and tracks the trend over time, the Psoriasis Tracker app includes the DLQI alongside a body region tracker. If you want to layer treatment response on top of the score, the psoriasis treatment log template pairs cleanly with this one. Readers managing overlapping skin conditions often combine it with the eczema tracker as well.
and tracks the trend over time, the Psoriasis Tracker app includes the DLQI alongside a body region tracker. If you want to layer treatment response on top of the score, the psoriasis treatment log template pairs cleanly with this one. Readers managing overlapping skin conditions often combine it with the eczema tracker as well.
and tracks the trend over time, the Psoriasis Tracker app includes the DLQI alongside a body region tracker. If you want to layer treatment response on top of the score, the psoriasis treatment log template pairs cleanly with this one. Readers managing overlapping skin conditions often combine it with the eczema tracker as well.
and tracks the trend over time, the Psoriasis Tracker app includes the DLQI alongside a body region tracker. If you want to layer treatment response on top of the score, the psoriasis treatment log template pairs cleanly with this one. Readers managing overlapping skin conditions often combine it with the eczema tracker as well.
and tracks the trend over time, the Psoriasis Tracker app includes the DLQI alongside a body region tracker. If you want to layer treatment response on top of the score, the psoriasis treatment log template pairs cleanly with this one. Readers managing overlapping skin conditions often combine it with the eczema tracker as well.
and tracks the trend over time, the Psoriasis Tracker app includes the DLQI alongside a body region tracker. If you want to layer treatment response on top of the score, the psoriasis treatment log template pairs cleanly with this one. Readers managing overlapping skin conditions often combine it with the eczema tracker as well.
and tracks the trend over time, the Psoriasis Tracker app includes the DLQI alongside a body region tracker. If you want to layer treatment response on top of the score, the psoriasis treatment log template pairs cleanly with this one. Readers managing overlapping skin conditions often combine it with the eczema tracker as well.
and tracks the trend over time, the Psoriasis Tracker app includes the DLQI alongside a body region tracker. If you want to layer treatment response on top of the score, the psoriasis treatment log template pairs cleanly with this one. Readers managing overlapping skin conditions often combine it with the eczema tracker as well.
and tracks the trend over time, the Psoriasis Tracker App includes the DLQI alongside a body region tracker.
What 30, 60, and 90 Days of DLQI Tracking Reveals
The first few weeks give you a baseline. The second month shows you whether that baseline holds, drifts, or spikes around predictable life events. By 90 days you have a clear view of how psoriasis is affecting your daily life across three months of ordinary variation. That picture is usually more persuasive than whatever a single 15 minute clinic visit can capture.
that baseline holds, drifts, or spikes around predictable life events. By 90 days you have a clear view of how psoriasis is affecting your daily life across three months of ordinary variation. That picture is usually more persuasive than whatever a single 15 minute clinic visit can capture.
that baseline holds, drifts, or spikes around predictable life events. By 90 days you have a clear view of how psoriasis is affecting your daily life across three months of ordinary variation. That picture is usually more persuasive than whatever a single 15 minute clinic visit can capture.
that baseline holds, drifts, or spikes around predictable life events. By 90 days you have a clear view of how psoriasis is affecting your daily life across three months of ordinary variation. That picture is usually more persuasive than whatever a single 15 minute clinic visit can capture.
that baseline holds, drifts, or spikes around predictable life events. By 90 days you have a clear view of how psoriasis is affecting your daily life across three months of ordinary variation. That picture is usually more persuasive than whatever a single 15 minute clinic visit can capture.
that baseline holds, drifts, or spikes around predictable life events. By 90 days you have a clear view of how psoriasis is affecting your daily life across three months of ordinary variation. That picture is usually more persuasive than whatever a single 15 minute clinic visit can capture.
that baseline holds, drifts, or spikes around predictable life events. By 90 days you have a clear view of how psoriasis is affecting your daily life across three months of ordinary variation. That picture is usually more persuasive than whatever a single 15 minute clinic visit can capture.
that baseline holds, drifts, or spikes around predictable life events. By 90 days you have a clear view of how psoriasis is affecting your daily life across three months of ordinary variation. That picture is usually more persuasive than whatever a single 15 minute clinic visit can capture.
that baseline holds, drifts, or spikes around predictable life events. By 90 days you have a clear view of how psoriasis is affecting your daily life across three months of ordinary variation. That picture is usually more persuasive than whatever a single 15 minute clinic visit can capture.
the baseline is stable or fluctuating, and whether certain weeks consistently run higher due to life events. By 90 days, you will have a clear view of how your disease is affecting your daily life across three months of ordinary variation. That is often more persuasive than a single clinic visit snapshot.
Score this week. It takes two minutes. That is the whole first entry.
Medical disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The official DLQI should be used under dermatology guidance for any clinical or insurance purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is DLQI?
DLQI (Dermatology Life Quality Index) is a 10-question validated tool that measures how a skin condition affects your daily life over the past week. Scores range from 0 (no effect) to 30 (extremely large effect).
What DLQI score means treatment should change?
A DLQI score above 10 indicates a large effect on quality of life. Guidelines suggest a DLQI above 10 or a PASI above 10 qualifies for systemic therapy or biologics.
Medical disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The content here is not a substitute for professional medical care, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with questions about your health or a medical condition. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or contact your local emergency services immediately.