Clinico-epidemiological study of melasma in tertiary care centre

Abstract

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Melasma is common pigmentary disorder and affect patient quality of life due to its presentation over the face. It mostly affects sun exposed area and present as grey-brown pigmentation over the face.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> In this observational or descriptive study, total 110 patients were enrolled which was carried out in the Department of Dermatology from February 2019 to January 2020 at Sri Siddhartha Medical College and Sciences, Tumkur, Karnataka.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Mean age group affected was 31-40 years of age (41.8%). Out of 110 patients 18 patients were male and 92 patients were females. Total 15 patients had positive family history (13.6%). 30 patients had history of taking oral contraceptive pills (27.3%). 22 patients had sun exposure history (20%). 59 patients had epidermal pigmentation (53.6%) and 62 patients had malar region distribution (56.4%).</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> During third decade of life, females were more commonly affected. Pathogenesis of melasma is multifactorial. In our study, we found that oral contraceptive pills and sun exposure may predispose or trigger the melasma. Most common area affected was malar. Epidermal pigmentation was more common.</p>