The Impact of Stria Gravidarum On Quality-of-Life Issues

Abstract

Background: Striae gravidarum is a commonly occurred physiological change among women with pregnancy. Although these changes are accepted as physiological, the lack of therapeutica and preventive techniques led to impaired quality of life of women. Objective: To assess the quality-of-life affection as regards emotions, symptoms and functioning by presence of stria gravidarum in pregnant females. Patients and Methods: This cross sectional study was carried on three hundred twenty-three pregnant female patients with stria gravidarum over the age of eighteen years. They were enrolled in the study from the Obstetrics & Gynecology Department, Faculty of Medicine Menoufia University, Shebin El Kom University Hospital and Local Health Care Centers. This study was conducted between April 2020 and October 2020. Results: Severe striae gravidarum, score (3-8) was observed in 20.6% of primiparae cases and 54.9 % of multiparae cases. Mild stria gravidarum, score (1-2) was observed in 79.4 % of primiparae cases and 45.1 % of multiparae cases. There was significant difference in Dermatology life quality index (DLQI) mean value between different davey’s score scale as (p < 0.001), mild cases with SG had mean value 15.24 ± 1.42 and severe cases. There is significant difference regarding DLQI of pregnant women who did or did not take preventive steps (p < 0.001). There is significant difference regarding association between Parity and DLQI (p=0.01). Conclusion: Women suffer from striae should be examined in detail to prevent the development or progression of striae, particularly in women encountered for the first time or primiparae with severe striae those might be intensely affected.