QUALITY OF LIFE ASSESSMENT IN VITILIGO PATIENTS IN LITHUANIA

Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune skin disorder that re­sults as depigmented patches of the skin due to loss of melanocytes. Although the disease is often asymptomatic, it impairs patients` quality of life. The aim of this study was to assess factors associated with negative impact on quality of life in terms of disease clinical features, pa­tients` functioning and emotional status in Lithuania. An observational, cross-sectional study consisted of 131 res­pondents. An original three-part survey of 41-questions was developed based on 4 standardized questionnaires. 125 respondents were included: 94 women and 31 men. The mean age was 35 ± 12 years. 14 out of 21 quality of life items affect >25% of respondents, including all 10 emotion-related indicators (100%) and 4 out of 11 functioning-related indicators (36.36%). In conclusion, this research supports the evidence that vitiligo has an influence on patients’ quality of life, mainly affecting emotion-related areas. Quality of life is associated with gender, age, and extent of skin involvement. Psycholo­gical consultation should be recommended to patients with vitiligo.