The psychosocial impact of vitiligo in Indian patients

Abstract

Addressing psychosocial factors is an important aspect of the management of vitiligo, particularly in patients from communities where the disease is greatly stigmatizing.

Vitiligo as a psychosocial disease: apprehensions of patients imprinted by the white

“…Stigma, prejudice and discrimination towards people who have vitiligo was also observed by Kent 35 , Lopes 27 , Müller 29 , Müller and Ramos 30 , Menezes et al 31 , Oliveira et al 26 , Sant'Anna et al 23 , Pahwa et al 37 , who highlighted the negative implications these actions had on their self-esteem and quality of life, besides the difficulties to establish interpersonal relations and consequently to fit in the social dynamics. Hence, we have a process of differentiation between groups, in which the disrespect to the singularity of those imprinted by the white culminates in their social exclusion.…”

“…Such scenery reveals the importance of communicating about the diagnosis in a way to offer a meaningful amount of information covering the disorder, welcoming the patient's doubts and consequently granting means for the subject to forge his/her own knowledge on the disease. This kind of demeanor would minimize the occurrence of iatrogenesis, such as angst and depressive symptoms, when the patient is faced with the 'unknown', which imprints his body with invasive marks; the absence of this behavior withholds the right to interrupt the disorder progress from the patient 26,27,36,37,39 . It is important to ponder over other psychosocial impacts that being diagnosed with vitiligo provoke on the patient's life, such as sadness, dread, anxiety, insecurity, low self-esteem, shame, discrimination, stigmatization, among others 18,19,25,27,37 .…”

Study on assessment of quality of life and depression in patients of vitiligo

“…assessed psychological impact of vitiligo using semi-structured interviews, found that vitiligo was considered a serious illness in view of its possible adverse effects on marriage and securing a job. [17] In this study, mean DLQI was statistically significantly less ( P = 0.014) in patients of regressive disease when compared to others. Many studies have shown association between disease extension and lower QoL.…”

“…also found patients observed dietary restrictions and wore clothes that covered patches of vitiligo. [17]…”

Impact on quality of life in vitiligo patients treated with narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy

“…[7] The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of NBUVB phototherapy on vitiligo patients on psychological aspect.…”