A Systematic Review of Effectiveness of Therapeutic Interventions on Quality of Life (QoL) for Adult Vitiligo Patients.

Abstract

Review Objective: The overall objective of this systematic review is to examine the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions, in terms of quality of life (QoL), for adult patients with vitiligo. Question: What is the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions on quality of life (QoL) in adult patients with vitiligo? Types of participants: Since the onset of vitiligo is most commonly in the second decade of life, we would review adult patients who are more than 18 years old. Exclusion: Patients with hypopigmentation secondary to other pathologies will be excluded. Please refer to Appendix I for a list of differential diagnoses of hypopigmenting or depigmenting skin diseases. Types of interventions: This component of the review will consider studies that include current therapeutic interventions for patients with vitiligo, including topical treatments, phototherapy, counselling, depigmentation therapy, camouflage or cosmetic therapy. Types of outcome measures/anticipated outcomes: This component of the review will consider studies that include outcomes related to quality of life. Anticipated outcomes would relate to domains of quality of life such as physical functioning, daily role activities limitation due to a physical problem, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, emotional problems and mental health. All scales measuring quality of life, including the Dermatology Life Quality Index, Skindex and WHO-GHQ12, will be accepted. Where possible, outcomes measured with similar scale will be pooled together.