Gender differences in quality of life of vitiligo patients attending a tertiary care center

Abstract

Background: Vitiligo is a common depigmenting dermatosis characterized by milky-white macules or patches. Any pathological discoloration of the skin has been linked to an impact on the body image of an individual, and vitiligo has been linked to decreased self-esteem and poor socialization of the affected people. In Indian society, vitiligo is labeled as Shweta-Kushta (i.e., white-colored leprosy) and is compared to leprosy—a more stigmatizing skin condition. Aim: This study aims to study gender-related differences in the quality of life of Indian vitiligo patients. Methodology: In this hospital-based cross-sectional study, a total of 55 vitiligo patients (females 25 and males 30) were enrolled using the purposive sampling technique. The sample was assessed on Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSS), and General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) to assess their quality of life, self-esteem, and psychological well-being, respectively. The gender differences in sociodemographic and clinical details as well as their relationship with the quality of life of the patients were sought with the help of appropriate statistical measures. Results: The patients of both genders were comparable in terms of all sociodemographic and clinical variables except the females being less educated and employed than the males. There was a statistically significant trend of higher mean DLQI total score in females than males (6.6 ± 3.55 vs 4.8 ± 2.71, Mann–Whitney U = 263.5, P =0.058). Significantly, the average DLQI score in female vitiligo patients was negatively related to family income (r s = -.659, P <.001) and it was significantly higher for the patients from a rural background than those from an urban background (8.55 ± 3.30 vs 5.07 ± 3.03, Mann–Whitney U = 33.5, P <.05). The average DLQI score was negatively correlated to RSS score but positively correlated to GHQ-12 score in patients of both genders. Conclusion: The quality of life of female patients with vitiligo is poorer than the same in male patients. The poor financial condition of families and rural living are two factors related to the poorer quality of life of female patients. A poorer quality of life in vitiligo patients of both genders is linked with decreased self-esteem and decreased psychological well-being. Gender-related issues in the quality of life and the overall well-being of such patients are important in their management and policy-making.