Assessment of Impact of Vitiligo on Quality of life of Patients using Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI)

Abstract

Objective To assess the impact of vitiligo on quality of life of patients using Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) score Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the Department of Dermatology , Allied/ D.H.Q Hospitals, Faisalabad Medical University over a period of six months. 125 patients of vitiligo were enrolled. The location and type of disease (localized, generalized, segmental, universal and acrofacial) was noted by physical examination and DLQI questionnaires in Urdu were filled in by the patients. Total scores were calculated and effect on quality of life was noted as No effect at all (0-1), Small effect (2-5), Moderate effect (6-10), Very large effect (11-20) and Extremely large effect (21-30) on patient’s life. Results Mean age of the patients was 29.2±9.1 years and mean DLQI score was 9.7±5.9. Out of 125 patients 73(58.4%) were male while 52 patients (41.6%) were female. Effect of disease on quality of life was noted as: No effect on 13 patients (10.4%), Small effect on 30 patients (24.0%), Moderate effect on 43 patients (34.4%), Very large effect on 22 patients (17.6%) and Extremely large effect on quality of life of 17 patients (13.6%).   Conclusion Vitiligo can significantly impair a patient’s quality of life. It can have a marked psychological impact as most of the patients reported moderate to severe impairment of quality of life. Key words Vitiligo, Quality of life, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI)