Evaluation of quality of life of patients with hirsutism among Turkish women: A single-center cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Patients with hirsutism have an increased number of psychological diseases including depression, anxiety, and social isolation with decreased quality of life. We aimed to investigate changes in the quality of life of patients with hirsutism among Turkish women. A total of 57 patients diagnosed with hirsutism were included in this study. The patients were investigated in terms of Dermatological Life Quality Index (DLQI) score, concomitant clinical findings, and polycystic ovary syndrome. Modified Ferriman-Gallwey (mFG) was used for the diagnosis of hirsutism. The mean DLQI score of the patients was 9.80±6.50, while the median value of the mFG score was 25 (minimum 8, maximum 34). The mean DLQI score of patients who had an mFG score of four only in one region of the face was statistically higher than women with an mFG score less than four (P=.033). No statistically significant correlation was found between DLQI and mFG scores (P=.254). There was no statistically significant difference in terms of DLQI between women with acne, seborrhea, androgenetic alopecia, menstrual irregularity, or acanthosis nigricans versus those without them (P>.05). The mean DLQI score was statistically significantly higher for patients with PCOS than for those without PCOS (P=.004). As shown by mFG score, quality of life is affected in certain areas for women with hirsutism. The mFG score is not correlated with the quality of life score. Certain areas of excessive hair that lead to stigma may be more important in quality of life for these women. The quality of life seems to be significantly more affected in hirsutism patients with PCOS than those without PCOS. Finally, clinical symptoms and signs appear to have no important role in the quality of life of patients with hirsutism.