Quality of Life in Chinese Patients With Large Congenital Melanocytic Nevi

Huijing Wang,Zhichao Wang,Qingfeng Li,Qingxiong Yu

doi:10.3389/fped.2022.784660

Abstract

BackgroundLarge congenital melanocytic nevus (LCMN) is a rare skin disease that deeply affects an individual's appearance, may influence patients' self-evaluation and social relationships, and further affects their quality of life (QoL). The Skindex-29 and 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) are valid instruments used to evaluate QoL specifically. It is necessary to assess the QoL of patients with LCMN and summarize potentially impactful factors to help people understand LCMN patients and assist doctors in offering professional advice.MethodsTwenty-five patients were recruited from Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital from July 1st, 2019, to March 31st, 2021. Both males and females were included, and the age groups were divided into infants (0–6 y), children (7–12 y), teenagers (13–17 y) and youths (18–45 y). The Skindex-29 and SF-36 were applied as questionnaires for the assessment of QoL. Clinical information was acquired by physical examination.ResultsQoL in patients with LCMN was diminished, especially in the emotional aspect. However, different genders, ages and distribution patterns of LCMN did not significantly influence QoL, but the patterns of “Bonce” and “Body” affected QoL the most and the severest. The results of Skindex-29 and SF-36 were consistent in that LCMN mainly reduced QoL from an emotional perspective.ConclusionsThis research shows that LCMN has the strongest impact on patients' emotional wellbeing but weakly influences the whole fettle of QoL. The gender, age and distribution patterns of lesions all have no direct effect on QoL, although a larger proportion of LCMNs probably insinuates worse QoL. Even though patients with LCMN show better QoL than those with other visible skin conditions, their general mental health still requires ample attention from surroundings and professional doctors.

Highlights

Large congenital melanocytic nevus (LCMN) is a rare skin disease that occurs in newborns at an incidence of 1/20,000 to 1/50,000 [1, 2]
Even though there are a few studies about the quality of life (QoL) of patients with CMN worldwide, none have been conducted in China far
It is valuable to estimate the distinctive QoL of patients with LCMN in China, and it is important for the public to pay close attention and show abundant goodwill to those who have rare diseases and are living in difficult circumstances

Summary

Introduction

Large congenital melanocytic nevus (LCMN) is a rare skin disease that occurs in newborns at an incidence of 1/20,000 to 1/50,000 [1, 2]. It presents as an obvious birthmark, deeply affecting an individual’s appearance. Different phenotypes and distribution patterns of CMNs may cause disparities in patients’ QoL as well as multiple kinds of treatments for the disease, yet 95 of 136 LCMN patients expressed that surgery did not have a positive effect on their QoL [9]. Large congenital melanocytic nevus (LCMN) is a rare skin disease that deeply affects an individual’s appearance, may influence patients’ self-evaluation and social relationships, and further affects their quality of life (QoL). It is necessary to assess the QoL of patients with LCMN and summarize potentially impactful factors to help people understand LCMN patients and assist doctors in offering professional advice

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion