Skin diseases have a strong impact on the physical and mental well-being of the patient. This is confirmed by the large number of quality of life studies that exist. Psoriasis and atopic dermatitis are the two most frequents chronic dermatosis, therefore we estimated relevant to cross-compare the patients' quality of life. OBJECTIVES: The Avène Dermatological Hydrotherapy Centre, which welcomes over 2500 patients a year, offers real unity conditions of time and location in order to realise a cross-analysis. METHOD: A generic scale (SF-12) and a specific scale (DLQI - Dermatology Life Quality Index) are completed by each patient at their arrival at the Avène Dermatological Hydrotherapy Centre. The completed questionnaires were returned by post. RESULTS: In the analysed population, the mean age is respectively 40.5 years old versus 55.5 y.o. for patients suffering atopic dermatitis (n=141) versus psoriasis (n=54) (p<0,00001). The DLQI score at inclusion is 37.84 for atopic dermatitis patients, 32.81 for psoriasis patients. Concerning the SF-12, the results consisted of 2 scores: mental (MCS-12) and physical (PCS-12). At inclusion the atopic dermatitis patients scores were: PCS-12=47.5 & MCS-12=33.8, the psoriasis patients scores were: PCS-12=46.3 & MCS-12=39.0. If those two scales' results show evidence of an impairment in patients' quality of life, no difference is demonstrated between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Those first results demonstrated an equal impairment in quality of life for patients suffering either from atopic dermatitis than psoriasis.