A study on the quality of life and the economic burden of Korean patients with viral warts

Background: Although warts are common viral infections of the skin, no single optimal treatment has been determined and most warts are resistant to the current treatment modalities. As a result, many patients suffer from viral warts. Nevertheless, there have been few studies on the patients' quality of life and the economic burden associated with viral warts. Objective: The purpose of this study is to assess the quality of life and the economic burden in the population affected by viral warts by administering a survey questionnaire. Methods: A questionnaire quoted from the Dermatology life Quality Index was administered to one hundred twenty patients who had viral warts. Results: The data for the quality of life revealed that warts do not particularly affect the patient's daily living activities nor their psychological status. However, the data indicated that the treatment of warts had significantly negative effects on the quality of life of our patients. With regard to treatment satisfaction, many were unsatisfied with 'the pain associated with treatment'. The estimated cost for the treatment of warts was 45,900 won per treatment and the estimated total treatment expenditure of each patient was 236,800 won. Conclusion: These results suggest that warts significantly affect the patients' quality of life and especially due to its resistance to treatment and the pain associated with the treatment. Moreover, warts can impose a considerable economic burden.