Abstract
Vitiligo is an acquired depigmenting skin disease which is often accompanied by mental distress. There are numerous studies dedicated to local and global prevalence of depression in patients with vitiligo but anxiety has not been recognized as a major mental problem within named population. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of anxiety among patients with vitiligo from different countries and to compare it with patients suffering from eczema, psoriasis, and acne. In November 2019, we conducted a systematic search for observational studies that examined the prevalence of anxiety in vitiligo patients. Fifteen studies comprising 1176 patients with vitiligo were included to our systematic review. The general prevalence of anxiety among vitiligo patients was equal to 35.8%. Statistically significant difference in anxiety rates was found among female and male patients (47.32% vs 42.4%) (P = 0.03), but the clinical relevance of this issue remains arguable. In addition, the pooled odds ratio among vitiligo and non-vitiligo patients did not indicate a statistical significance among patients coming from different continents. The pooled prevalence of anxiety among vitiligo patients worldwide was comparable to other severe skin disorders. This finding accentuates the necessity of anxiety awareness in management of patients with skin diseases.
Highlights
Psychogenic effects related to various health disorders have become the issue of growing discussion in scientific literature over past decades [1, 2]
The pooled odds ratio among vitiligo and non-vitiligo patients did not indicate a statistical significance among patients coming from different continents
The pooled prevalence of anxiety among vitiligo patients worldwide was comparable to other severe skin disorders
Summary
Psychogenic effects related to various health disorders have become the issue of growing discussion in scientific literature over past decades [1, 2]. Anxiety disorders quite seldom occur alone and are frequently associated with depression or other mental health problems [4] The sample of such population groups could be made of vitiligo, which is an acquired lasting skin disorder. The global rate of vitiligo is approximately 1%, some populations show twofold to threefold increase in rates [6] These patches of skin depigmentation tend to expand with time and affected individuals experience a range of emotional problems. In certain cultures individuals suffering from vitiligo may be stigmatized and could experience difficulty with finding a couple or staying employed [7]. This worsens psychological distress and might even lead to a suicide attempt, especially if vitiligo affects visible body parts [8]. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of anxiety among patients with vitiligo from different countries and to compare it with patients suffering from eczema, psoriasis, and acne
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