Search

Objective To assess the impact of vitiligo on psychosocial health of patients by applying Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) score and to estimate the frequency of patients having significant effect of vitiligo on their life. Methods This descriptive survey was conducted at the Department of Dermatology, Services Hospital, Lahore over six months. Physical examination of the patients was done and patients were asked to fill DLQI questionnaires in Urdu. Final scores were analysed and impact on psychological and social well-being of patients was noted. The higher the score, the more the quality of life impaired. Outcome variables i.e. mean DLQI score and frequency of significant effect on quality of life was recorded on proforma. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 21. Results The mean age of patients was 33.45±10.21 years. Out of 200, there were 91 (45.5%) males and 109 (54.5%) females. The mean duration of symptoms was 2.88±1.34 years. The mean DLQI score was 16.78±8.31. Out of 200, quality of life of 177 (88.5%) patients was significantly affected by vitiligo. Conclusion Vitiligo profoundly effects daily life of majority of patients. The disease has a tremendous impact on everyday life and self-esteem of most of the patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To analyze the effect of vitiligo on psychosocial well-being of patients using Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) score. Methods This cross-sectional survey was conducted in the Department of Dermatology, Allied/D.H.Q Hospitals, Faisalabad Medical University over six months. 125 patients of vitiligo were enrolled. The location and type of disease (localized, generalized, segmental, universal and acrofacial) was noted by physical examination and DLQI questionnaires in Urdu were filled in by the patients. Total scores were calculated and effect on psychosocial well-being of patients was noted as No impact (0-1), minimal impact (2-5), Moderate impact (6-10), Very huge impact (11-20) and Extremely huge impact (21-30). Results Mean age of patients was 29.2±9.1 years and mean of DLQI score was 9.7±5.9. Out of 125 patients 73(58.4%) were male while 52 patients (41.6%) were female. Impact of the illness on psychosocial well-being was noted as: No impact on 13 patients (10.4%), Small effect on 30 patients (24.0%), Moderate effect on 43 patients (34.4%), Very large effect on 22 patients (17.6%) and Extremely huge effect on 17 patients (13.6%). Conclusion Vitiligo can significantly alter everyday life of sufferers. It can have profound psychosocial implications as most of the patients reported moderate to severe impairment of quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]