Poster presentation, P52

Official XXIst International Pigment Cell Conference website - 21-24 Sept 2011, Bordeaux - France | updated: September 04 2011

A study of burden of vitiligo in Indian patients using a new and specific rating scale

BACKGROUND: Vitiligo is an enigmatic disease. Though asymptomatic, it carries a huge burden on patients’ lives. It is considered a social stigma particularly in colored skin populations. Till date, the burden of vitiligo has not been measured using a specific vitiligo questionnaire or instrument. OBJECTIVES: To measure the burden of vitiligo using a questionnaire specific for vitiligo- the Vitiligo Impact Scale (VIS). METHODS: The VIS was administered to vitiligo patients above 18 years of age. Along with VIS the patients also answered the DLQI and Skindex-16. Detailed clinical examination was done. RESULTS: The instrument was administered to 100 consecutive patients of vitiligo. There were 57 males and 43 females. Fort-eight patients were married and 52 were unmarried forty-six patients were working and 54 patients were either unemployed, housewives, students or retired. Acrofacial vitiligo was the most common type of vitiligo. Scores ranged from 5-64 (mean (SD) 26.57 (12.13), median: 26). Nearly half of the patients had moderate to severe burden. Females were found to have a higher burden. But there was no significant difference in burden of patients in repect to the surface area involved, marital status, employment status, age or duration of vitiligo. Many patients had suicidal tendencies. A significant number had marital problems. CONCLUSION: The study proves that vitiligo carries a huge burden on patients’ lives. The results obtained confirmed the observations of some previous studies. Use of a vitiligo specific rating scale gave more authentication to the data.

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