Evaluation of the Dermatological Life Quality Index, sexual dysfunction and other psychiatric diseases in patients diagnosed with vitiligo with and without genital involvement.

BACKGROUND

Because skin lesions affect self-image, vitiligo affects an individual's emotional and psychological well-being, sexual life and relationships with other people. The literature contains a limited number of studies regarding the localization of vitiligo with respect to its effect on certain variables.

AIM

To investigate the effects of the presence or absence of genital involvement in vitiligo on sexual dysfunction, dermatological quality of life (QoL), and susceptibility to other psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression.

METHODS

In total, 90 patients who were admitted to the dermatology outpatient clinic of a tertiary university hospital; the patients included 30 patients with vitiligo with genital involvement, 30 patients with vitiligo without genital involvement and 30 controls (HCs). All groups were evaluated with the Dermatological Life Quality Index (DLQI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD), Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) and Golombok-Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS).

RESULTS

The HC groups exhibited lower total scores on the DLQI, HAD total score, ASEX and GRISS compared with the vitiligo groups (P < 0.05). No statistically significant difference was found between the vitiligo group with genital involvement and the vitiligo group without genital involvement in terms of DLQI, and total scores for HAD, ASEX and GRISS (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The presence or absence of genital involvement in vitiligo did not have dissimilar effects on the individual's QoL, or their sexual and psychological state.