The psychological impact of vitiligo in adult Sudanese patients

Abstract

Objective: Vitiligo is a chronic skin disease that causes loss of pigment, resulting in irregular pale patches of skin. The disease has profound psychological consequences. These effects range from mild embarrassment to a severe loss of self-confidence and social anxiety, especially for those who have lesions on exposed skin. The study sought to determine the psychological impact of vitiligo in Sudanese patients. Method: This study is a cross-sectional, clinical-epidemiological and hospital-based study, underatken in Khartoum Dermatologic Hospital (KDH). The data was collected between June 2007 and November 2007. 111 adult patients were enrolled sequentially during the study period and they were tested using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Results: Psychological disturbances as a consequence of vitiligo were found in 36 (31 %) adult patients. Patients with mild psychological disturbances were found in 20 of these patients and severe disturbances in 16. Conclusion: Psychological consequences are common in patients with vitiligo

What are the risk factors for the comorbidity of posttraumatic stress disorder and depression in a war-affected population? a cross-sectional community study in South Sudan

“…It has been used in various populations and cultural settings [46] including Sudan [47]. Scores on the GHQ-28 were calculated by summarizing the responses to the 28 questions, applying the Likert scale of scoring (0-1-2-3).…”

Psychiatric morbidity in patients with vitiligo / Vitiligolu hastalarda psikiyatrik morbidite

“…Moreover, factors such as being in adolescence or young adulthood, female gender, living alone and low socio-economic status negatively affect adherence to the disease (9,10). In at least one third of patients, a psychiatric disorder, mainly affective and anxiety disorders accompany vitiligo (7,11,12). It is already known that one should cope with related psychiatric or psychological factors in a substantial portion of patients in order to treat skin lesions effectively (13).…”

Cinico-Epidemiological Profile of Vitiligo Patients in Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital Bandung

“…Patients with vitiligo treated at dermatology clinics should be assessed in terms of psychiatric disorders and psychiatric interventions may become necessary in the course of illness. 11,12 A paramount factor for treatment compliance and psychological well being of the patient is society's response in general towards victims of this disease. The perception of population towards vitiligo differs in terms of disease seriousness, infectivity, availability of treatment and duration of therapy 11-13.…”

“…These effects range from mild embarrassment to a severe loss of self-confidence and social anxiety, especially for those who have lesions on exposed skin. [11][12][13] In an interesting study from Belgium investigating the attitude of treating dermatologists, it was revealed that due to pessimistic attitude of treating physician themselves about expected treatment results, only 36% of them had encouraged their patients to undergo treatment. This attitude can also be reflected by the patient him/herself.…”