Effect of Melasma on Quality of Life of Patients using Dermatology Life Quality Index

Abstract

Objective: To assess the effect of melasma on the Quality of Life (QoL) of patients using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI).

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of dermatology PAF Hospital, Jacobabad Pakistan, from Jun 2019 to 2020.

Methodology: A total of 103 patients with melasma were enrolled in the study from the dermatology outpatient department after written informed consent. Patients of either gender aged 15 years and above were included in the study. Melasma Area and Severity Index assessed melasma severity. In addition, the impact on Quality of Life was assessed using the Dermatology Life Quality Index questionnaire.

Results: Among the 103 patients, 67 (65%) were females, and 36 (35%) were male. The mean age of patients was 29.50±7.94 years and included 78 (75.7%) married and 25 (24.3%) unmarried individuals. Mean Melasma Area and Severity Index was 22.04±11.23, including 36 (35%) patients with mild, 43 (41.7%) moderate and 24 (23.3%) patients with severe disease, respectively. Overall mean Dermatology Life Quality Index of the sample was 11.25±7.78, while mean scores for the mild, moderate and severe diseases were 5.89±.58, 10.33±5.75 and 20.96±6.62, respectively (p=0.001), indicating that Quality of Life is significantly more impaired with increased disease severity.

Conclusion: Melasma significantly affects the Quality of Life of the patients as measured by Dermatology Life Quality Index. The impact on Quality of Life is directly proportional to the severity of melasma assessed by the Melasma Area Severity Index.