[Psychiatric morbidity and quality of life in Vitiligo: a case controlled study]

Abstract

The aims of this study were to value the psychiatric morbidity and its influence on the quality of life of patients with vitiligo.

Methods: It was a case-controlled study bearing on 60 outpatients with vitiligo examined in the department of Dermatology of the University Hospital of Monastir, compared to 60 controls matched according to age and sex, among outpatients with others dermatologic disorders as warts or superficial mycoses. The assessment consisted in the epidemiological and clinical evaluation, including these questionnaires: the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), the Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and the Hamilton Anxiety Appreciation Scale (HAMA).

Results: Mean scores of depression in the MADRS and anxiety in the HAMA were significantly more elevated in patients with vitiligo (p = 0.0005). Quality of life was significantly more altered in patients with vitiligo: DLQI mean score = 9.4 +/- 17.1 versus 2.5 +/- 1.0 among the controls (p < 0.0001). A positive correlation has been noted between the quality of life scores and the MADRS depression scores (p < 10(-10)) and the HAMA anxiety scores (p < 10(9)).

Conclusion: The quality of life decrease in patients with vitiligo is especially related to the psychiatric comorbidity underlining the multidisciplinary therapeutic necessity including the psychotherapeutic approach.