Quality of Life Assessment Scales in Vitiligo: A Comparative Study in a Tertiary Hospital in Benin City, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND

Vitiligo is an acquired pigmentary disorder with significance among dark skinned individuals.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to correlate the Vitiligo Impact Scale with the DLQI as tools in assessing patients with vitiligo in Benin City, Nigeria.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a cross sectional analytical study among adult vitiligo patients who attended the dermatology clinic between February, 2018 and June, 2019. Both patients and controls were recruited consecutively. Data was obtained using a three-section interviewer administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed using uni, bivariate analysis and the Pearson correlation coefficient.

RESULTS

A total of 80 patients were recruited, 40 each for study group and control. The mean age of the study group was 38.43 ±12.94 while the control was 37.25±13.31. The DLQI mean score for the vitiligo group was 3.65±5.57, while the control group was 0.35 ±1.10 (p = 0.001). The mean VIS-22 scale was 12.00±9.89 for the vitiligo patients. The DLQI identified about half (52.5%) of the vitiligo patients with impaired Qol while the VIS-22 identified 70% of vitiligo patients with impaired Qol. The most affected domains were feelings and symptoms for DLQI and anxiety for VIS-22. Both scales indicated significant impact on QoL in patients with involvement of exposed aspects of the body. There is a strong positive correlation between DLQI and Vis-22.

CONCLUSION

The vitiligo Impact Scale VIS-22 identified more persons with impaired QoL than DLQI.