| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2017 | Volume
: 4
| Issue : 2 | Page : 92-97 |
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Impact of melasma on quality of life in Indian patients
Pooja Arora1, Neha Meena1, PK Sharma1, Mohd Raihan2
1 Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital PGIMER, New Delhi, India
2 Rama Medical College, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India
Correspondence Address:
Pooja Arora
9547, Sector C, Pocket 9, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi - 110 070
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/2349-5847.219683
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Introduction: Melasma is a chronic acquired disorder of facial melanosis characterized by brown-black macules on sun exposed areas of face. Melasma has a severe impact on the quality of life (QOL) of the patients, causing emotional, psychological, and social stress.
Aims and objectives: (1) To evaluate the impact of melasma on QOL using the Hindi adaptation of Melasma QOL (Hi-MELASQOL). (2) To study the relation between Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) score and Hi-MELASQOL.
Materials and Methods: A total of 156 patients of melasma attending the dermatology outpatient department of our institute were included. Patients were subjected to assessment of MASI score and Hi-MELASQOL questionnaire consisting of 10 objective questions using a Likert-scale of 1 to 7.
Results: Hi-MELASQOL did not correlate statistically with MASI score, age of onset of melasma or with its duration. No statistical significant difference was found among the Hi-MELASQOL scores of patients with different occupation, education levels, or marital status. In Hi-MELASQOL questionnaire, 36.54% cases were bothered due to the appearance of their skin due to melasma, 41.03% felt frustrated, 46.03% felt embarrassed, and 48.72% felt depressed.
Conclusion: Impact of melasma as measured by Hi-MELASQOL revealed that patients with melasma felt frustrated, embarrassed, and depressed. Melasma has effect on interpersonal interactions in Indian patients. However, Hi-MELASQOL is independent of MASI score. Hence, QOL should be assessed in every patient of melasma and treatment plan should be devised taking into account the psychosocial and emotional stress.
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