Melasma and its Association with Serum Iron Levels and Complete Blood Count

Abstract

Objective: To observe association of Melasma with serum Iron and complete blood count indices Study Design: Case-control cross-sectional study Place and Duration of Study: Department of Dermatology, HIT Hospital Taxila from 1st May 2021 to 1st October 2021 Methodology: Fifty seven females having melasma were taken as cases and 48 non-pregnant females without melasma as control between 12-50 years of age. Women with pregnancy, history of cardiac or thyroid disease and usage of hormone therapy, phototoxic drugs or anti-convulsant drugs were not included. History and examination was done by a dermatologist. Modified MASI (m Melasma Area and Severity Index) score was used for assessing severity of melasma. Blood samples were collected and send for serum Ferritin level, TIBC and Complete blood count in both groups. Results: The mean age of females were 35±7.4 years, and 48 female patients with no melasma were selected as controls with mean age of 25.7±8.4 years. We also analyzed the effect of different hematological and general factors on mMASI score within group of melasma patient but again found no statistically significant effect of any of these on MASI score. Conclusion: There is no direct association between melasma, serum iron levels and blood indices. Keywords: Melasma, Serum ferritin levels, Complete blood count