Background: Foot and body odor have been found in some dermatologic diseases such as foot odor in pitted keratosis [PK]. The studies about odors are limited, especially, their impacts on patients’ quality of life [QoL].

Objective: To demonstrate the effects of odor on patients’ QoL, focusing on foot odor and association between the severity of foot odor and PK.

Materials and Methods: Seven hundred eighty-eight Thai naval rating cadets enrolled in the study. Odor was assessed by questionnaires. The severity of foot odor was evaluated using visual analog scale [VAS] score by the participant’s self-determination. QoL was assessed by Dermatology Life Quality Index [DLQI] questionnaire. Physical examination was performed by dermatologists. The association among PK, DLQI total score, and odor were analyzed.

Results: Seven hundred twenty-nine participants (92.5%) completed the questionnaires and physical examination. Foot odor was reported in 309 (42.4%), whereas body odor was found in 140 (19.2%). The mean DLQI total score significantly increased in the participants who had foot or body odor; comparing with those without odor. The positive correlation between DLQI total score and the severity of odor was demonstrated (r = 0.4, p-value <0.001). Foot odor significantly affected on patients’ QoL defining as DLQI score greater than 6 (p-value 0.04), comparing with those reporting no foot odor. Moreover, PK was described in 125 (17.1%) cases in the present study. The median VAS score of foot odor was significantly different between the participants with and without PK (p-value 0.002).

Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that odor had significant impact on patients’ QoL, using statistical analysis. Severity of unpleasant foot odor was correlated with diagnosis of PK. Thus, physicians should pay attention to this problem and perform a proper management.

Keywords: Odor, Foot odor, Body odor, Pitted keratolysis, Dermatology Life Quality Index [DLQI] questionnaire