The burden of vitiligo: Patient characteristics associated with quality of life

Background Vitiligo is commonly regarded as a harmless cosmetic skin problem in Western societies, and the importance of treating patients with vitiligo is often underestimated. Objective We sought to determine the clinical and sociodemographic variables that adversely affect the quality of life in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2009-09, Vol.61 (3), p.411-420
Main Authors: Linthorst Homan, May W., MD, Spuls, Phyllis I., MD, PhD, de Korte, John, MA, PhD, Bos, Jan D., MD, PhD, Sprangers, Mirjam A., MA, PhD, van der Veen, J.P. Wietze, MD, PhD
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Biological and medical sciences
Cost of Illness
Dermatology
Emotions
Female
Health Status
Humans
Linear Models
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Multivariate Analysis
Pigmentary diseases of the skin
Psychology
Quality of Life
SF-36
Skindex-29
Surveys and Questionnaires
vitiligo
Vitiligo - psychology
Young Adult
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Summary:Background Vitiligo is commonly regarded as a harmless cosmetic skin problem in Western societies, and the importance of treating patients with vitiligo is often underestimated. Objective We sought to determine the clinical and sociodemographic variables that adversely affect the quality of life in adult patients with generalized vitiligo so that these variables can be considered in the treatment and care. Methods A total of 245 adult patients with generalized vitiligo completed two quality-of-life questionnaires (the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-form General Health Survey and the Skindex-29). Physicians assessed sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of these patients. Results Dark skin type, vitiligo located on the chest, and treatment in the past appeared to have an adverse impact on the psychosocial domains of quality of life. Moreover, itch was reported by 20% of the patients in this study. Limitations Psychiatric comorbidity was not evaluated in the analyses. Conclusion Generalized vitiligo is a serious skin disorder with an adverse impact on the emotional state, comparable with that of other major skin diseases.
ISSN:0190-9622
1097-6787
DOI:10.1016/j.jaad.2009.03.022