Evaluation of the Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms in Patients with Vitiligo in China

Abstract

Background: Vitiligo is a common, acquired depigmenting disorder. The pathogenesis is not clear, neuropsychological factors may be involved. Vitiligo will affect the individual’s physical and psychological health, leading to different levels of psychological behavior problems. However, there are few research on psychological symptoms in patients with vitiligo in China. Methods: Adult patients with vitiligo were selected in convenient sampling method from March 2019 to November 2019 from the dermatology clinic. They were evaluated by the DLQI (Dermatology Life Quality Index), SCL-90 (Symptom Checklist-90), SADS (Social Avoidance and Distress Scale) and MCMQ (Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire). Results: The DLQI score was 7.56 ± 6.11, which was in the third level. The SCL-90 score of patients with vitiligo was 136.44 ± 39.19, significantly higher than the Chinese norms (P < 0.05), and it mainly manifested as interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety and phobia, which may be affected by the patient’s gender, marital status, severity of disease, stage and location of skin lesions. The total score of SADS in patients was 10.30 ± 6.38. The total score and scores in all dimensions of SADS were significantly higher than the Chinese norms (all P < 0.05), which were related with the patient’s gender, educational attainment, severity, type and stage of skin lesions. For MCMQ, the facing score was significantly lower than the Chinese norms (P < 0.05), and the avoiding and yielding scores were significantly higher than the Chinese norms (all P < 0.05). Conclusion: In China, vitiligo affects the patient’s quality of life to varying degrees, resulting in a series of psychological and behavioral problems. We should actively concern and improve the psychological health status and behavior of patients, and multi-disciplinary treatment strategies and education about vitiligo should be given to the patients.