Abstract
Copyright: © 2014 Chandler DJ. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Vitiligo is an acquired chronic depigmentation disorder characterised by white skin patches. The prevalence is around 1% in Europe and the United States, and more than 8% in parts of India. Vitiligo usually occurs after birth and the average age of onset is around 20 years. Vitiligo commonly affects the face and extremities and is often immediately visible to others hence evokes high levels distress associated with appearance concern. Both sexes are affected equally, although women are more likely to seek treatment [1]. Disease progression is unpredictable and response to treatment is highly variable.
Highlights
David J Chandler1*, Reena Shah2 and Anthony Bewley3 1Clinical Research Fellow (Dermatology), Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DS, UK 2Chartered Clinical Psychologist, Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel, London, E1 1BB, UK 3Consultant Dermatologist, Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel, London, E1 1BB, UK
The prevalence is around 1% in Europe and the United States, and more than 8% in parts of India
A review by Ongenae et al indicated that high levels of emotional responses were reported, such as increased selfconsciousness, lower self-esteem, higher levels of perceived stigma and disability, anger, poorer Quality Of Life (QOL) overall and negative impact on sexual relationships [3]
Summary
The psychosocial impact of vitiligo is comparable to that of other common skin diseases such as psoriasis and eczema. The main impact of vitiligo is the psychological effect of the disease [2]. A review by Ongenae et al indicated that high levels of emotional responses were reported, such as increased selfconsciousness, lower self-esteem, higher levels of perceived stigma and disability, anger, poorer Quality Of Life (QOL) overall and negative impact on sexual relationships [3].
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