Evaluation Instruments for Quality of Life Related to Melasma: An Integrative Review

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze scientific production concerning the validation and cultural adaptation of quality of life evaluation instruments for patients with melasma and to offer a critical reflection on these methods. A literature review was performed based on a search of the Web of Science, Bireme, PubMed, Elsevier Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. All published articles from indexed periodicals in these electronic databases up to December 2015 were included. Eight articles were identified, of which only one (12.5%) referred to the development and validation of a specific instrument for evaluation of the quality of life of melasma patients. An additional six articles (75%) referred to transcultural adjustment and validation of the same instrument in other languages, and another (12.5%) article reported the development of a generic instrument for evaluation of quality of life in patients with pigment disorders. This review revealed only one specific instrument developed and validated in different cultures. Despite being widely used, this instrument did not follow the classic construction steps for psychometric instruments, which paves the way for future studies to develop novel instruments.

Melasma and thyroid disorders: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Melasma is an acquired type of hyperpigmentation that is displayed as asymptomatic symmetric reddish‐brown or gray‐blue macules or patches mainly localized in the sun‐exposed body areas, namely chin, cheek, forehead, and upper lip . As the sun‐exposed sites are also the visible ones, melasma is reported to negatively affect the quality of life . Pregnant women and those who use oral contraceptives (OCP) are reported as particularly susceptible to develop melasma .…”

“…Despite ethnicity seeming to play a role, as testified by the high prevalence in Asians and Hispanics, the environmental variables remain the only proved risk factors. In literature, countries with stronger sun radiation such as India, Pakistan, and Middle East and Mediterranean countries are linked to an increased prevalence of this pigmentary disorder . Furthermore, the reported prevalence of melasma ranged from 1% to 50% …”

“…Although melasma pathogenesis still remains unknown, epidemiological studies suggest a possible implication of sun exposure, hormonal factors, genetic susceptibility, cosmetics, thyroid disorders, ovarian cancer, parasitic infection, and stress . Familial history has been demonstrated in 10–70% of cases in Iran, Singapore, Spain, and African‐American populations .…”

“…Coherently with its poor pathogenetic understanding and its tendency to relapse, melasma treatments are challenging and often followed by low patient satisfaction . Recent findings suggest that thyroid hormones may play a key role in melasma; this idea has also been sustained by a few epidemiological studies .…”

Hyperpigmentation Associated with Anti-Tumor Chemotherapy: A Series of 54 Cases, Demo-Topographic Aspects and Interest of the Dermatological Intervention

“…The average time for skin involvement was six weeks with variables ranging from one day to five months. Most often localized (64.8%), diffuse in (22.2%), lim- position of other questionnaires and not on the individual symbolic perceptions of patients [17], this defect in psychometric construction suggests a certain intercultural maladjustment.…”