Quality of life is a broad concept that reflects an individual’s perspective on the level of life satisfaction experienced in a variety of situations including housing, recreation, environmental conditions, health and job. In this way it is a subjective measure that is affected by factors well beyond health status. To evaluate quality of life in patients with common pigmentation disorders such as vitiligo, melasma, and freckles refer to dermatologic clinics of Kashan University of medical sciences during 2010 and 2011.
Methods: In this cross sectional study, 142 patients with pigmentation disorders, older than 18 years old filled out Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire. DLQI questionnaire includes 10 questions regarding feelings, daily activities, leisure, job and education, personal relationship and treatment. Scoring was performed according to Finlay's guidelines. The data were analyzed with t, ANOVA and Pearson correlation tests. The higher the score, the greater the impairment of quality of life.
Results: The mean DLQI score was 5.64 (±5.03). The mean DLQI score in vitiligo was higher than other diseases. In this study score of quality of life in women, patients younger than 25 years old, patients with lesions on exposed areas, and single patients was higher than others, but there was not any significant relationship between quality of life and duration of disease, job, education level and place of residence.
Conclusion: This study showed that skin pigmentation disorders had a significant impact on all aspects of the quality of life, especially on socio-psychological aspect. Therefore, dermatologists should pay attention to the psychological effects of those diseases and try to decrease their extensions and disfigurating effects by various treatment modalities.
