Evaluating prevalence of depression, anxiety and hopelessness in patients with Vitiligo on an Iranian population

Abstract

Introduction: Vitiligo is caused by partial or complete destruction of melanocytes in the affected skin area and influences the patient's quality of life. Besides physical involvement, vitiligo patients experience a high level of stress. Depression and Anxiety are common psychiatric disorders in vitiligo patients. Aim: This study, as the first study, evaluates hopelessness, anxiety, depression and general health of vitiligo patients in comparison with normal controls in an Iranian population. Method: Hundred patients with vitiligo and hundred healthy controls were examined. General health, depression, hopelessness and anxiety were evaluated based on general health questionnaire. Anxiety, depression and hopelessness levels were analyzed using Chi-Square, and the mean value of general health was evaluated through t-test. Results: The results showed that anxiety and hopelessness levels were significantly higher in vitiligo patients than those who are in healthy controls. This significant difference refers to high levels of anxiety and hopelessness among women with vitiligo. It was also found that the single patients were more anxious, hopeless and depressive, while the married patients were only more anxious and hopeless than those who are in the control group, respectively. General health of patients was significantly worse than in healthy controls. The low level of general health in patients was related to poorer level of general health among women with vitiligo. Conclusion: It seems that women with vitiligo are more mentally stressed than men with vitiligo. Both singles and married vitiligo patients suffer from anxiety and hopelessness.

Quality of life in the Elders has not Been Regarded as much as their Life Span: A Population-Based Study From Iran

“…We showed that sexual function, was positively associated with MQOL in the elders. In addition, the incidence of depression has increased in many countries, as well as in the Middle East in the past two decades [32]. Similar to our study, Canuto et al found that the incidence of depression and anxiety disorders had negative relationship with QOL in the elders, especially in women [33].…”

<p>Relationship Between Depression and Quality of Life Among Vitiligo Patients: A Self-assessment Questionnaire-based Study</p>

“…[33][34][35] Most of our patients had none or mild depressive symptoms similar to a study from Iran. 11 Prevalence of depression and depressive symptoms varies among the studies depending on the diagnostic criteria or instruments used. 12 Reported screening instruments included Hamilton Depression Rating scale (HDRS) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).…”

“…The psychological problems that can occur in vitiligo include depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, and suicidal thoughts. [9][10][11] A meta-analysis conducted by Wang et al, found that vitiligo patients were 4.96 times more likely to have depressive symptoms compared to controls. 12 Psychodermatology is a relatively new area of patient care that focuses on the interaction between the skin and the mind.…”

Amino acids targeted based metabolomics study in non-segmental Vitiligo: a pilot study

“…Hamidizadeh et al (Hamidizadeh et al, 2020), in their study compered hopelessness, anxiety, depression and general health of vitiligo patients in comparison with normal controls and confirmed that anxiety and hopelessness levels were significantly higher in vitiligo patients than those who are in healthy controls.…”