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Quality of life and psychological adaptation of Korean adolescents with vitiligo
Author(s) -
Choi S,
Kim DY,
Whang SH,
Lee JH,
Hann SK,
Shin YJ
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of the european academy of dermatology and venereology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.655
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1468-3083
pISSN - 0926-9959
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2009.03452.x
Subject(s) - vitiligo , medicine , psychosocial , quality of life (healthcare) , anxiety , clinical psychology , disease , psychological adaptation , population , psychiatry , dermatology , nursing , environmental health
Aim The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of vitiligo on the quality of life and psychological adaptation in a Korean adolescent population. Methods Fifty‐seven adolescents aged 12 to 18 years with vitiligo were evaluated using self‐report scales, namely the Skindex‐29, Piers‐Harris self‐concept, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES‐D), and Revised Children’s Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS). Results Mean Skindex‐29 subscales were as follow; 21.8 (global), 16.3 (symptom), 18.6 (function) and 29.5 (emotion). Several clinical variables, such as duration of vitiligo, facial involvement, history of previous treatment, and patient‐assessed severity, affected the Skindex‐29 subscales in various ways. However, differences in Skindex‐29 scores according to the type of vitiligo, extent of involvement, and family history were not observed. The Piers‐Harris self‐concept scores showed a negative correlation with Skindex‐29 scores, while other psychological measures (CES‐D and RCMAS) were positively correlated. Conclusion The quality of life of adolescents with vitiligo is closely related to the patients’ apprehensions about their disease, psychosocial adjustment, and psychiatric morbidity, rather than the clinical severity of the condition itself. Clinicians should recognize and deal with psychological adaptation along with medical intervention when treating adolescent patients with vitiligo.