To What Extent Is Quality of Life Impaired in Vitiligo? A Multicenter Study on Italian Patients Using the Dermatology Life Quality Index

Abstract

Background: It is believed that vitiligo has an impact on the overall patient quality of life (QoL). Objective: To estimate QoL in a fairly large sample of Italian vitiligo patients by using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire. Methods: One hundred and sixty-one vitiligo patients referred to 9 dermatological centers were offered to participate by filling in the Italian version of the DLQI questionnaire. Results: The mean total DLQI score was 4.3 (SD ±4.9; range: 0-22). In multivariate analysis, DLQI >5 was associated with female gender, stability of the disease over time and involvement of the face at disease onset. Conclusions: The impairment of QoL is overall limited in Italian vitiligo patients, especially if it is compared with results from other available studies. This could be due to cultural and ethnic characteristics of the sample.

Quality of Life Impairment in Children and Adults with Vitiligo: A Cross-Sectional Study Based on Dermatology-Specific and Disease-Specific Quality of Life Instruments

“…Vitiligo seems to have less influence on activities such as going to work and school, and this is in agreement with the results of other studies [12,18,22] . Leisure, social activities and sports seem to have a higher impact on QoL, and it may be related to self-consciousness about lesions and clothing decisions, since those were the questions that had higher scores in the DLQI and also in the CDLQI.…”

“…Our study did not find any difference in the scores between the areas covered and not covered either, even taking into consideration that the majority of the patients in our sample (over 90%) showed [17,18] , others did not observe such findings [19] .…”

Association between clinical characteristics, quality of life, and sleep quality in patients with periorbital hyperchromia

“…The mean value of DLQI found in the sample is classified as a mild effect on the quality of life of patients with POH. However, when compared to other common dermatological diseases, it is noted that the DLQI scores found in some studies on acne, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis present mean values that correspond, in general terms, to the range of moderate effect on dermatological quality of life . Although there is less impairment of DLQI values when compared to other conditions, quality of life is negatively affected in POH.…”

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

“…[1014] While several other studies have shown higher impairment of QoL in female patients and attributed it to sensitivity toward their appearance. [91315]…”